High HIV- Trypanosoma cruzi Coinfection Levels in Vulnerable Populations in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The coinfection with Tripanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and HIV is a relevant clinical event. The goal of this study was to establish the frequency of coinfection in at-risk populations for HIV infection from Argentina. A total of 280 HIV positive serum samples from HIV seroprevalence studies in HIV at-risk groups were tested for T.cruzi infection. Of those samples, 8 were positive for T. cruzi (coinfection rate: 2.9%); 6 of them came from HIV positive intravenous drug users (IDUs)( rate: 7.8%). In view of these results, all HIV infected patients in Argentina should undergo T. cruzi diagnosis, especially IDUs.