A therapeutic preconceptional vaccine against Chagas disease: A novel indication that could reduce congenital transmission and accelerate vaccine development

摘要

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is a major cause of cardiac disease in the Americas. At least 6 million people arecurrently infected in Latin America, including 1 million women of reproductive age [1]. In theUnited States, the estimated number of T. cruzi-infected women of reproductive age was130,522 in 2000 [2]. Healthcare costs of the disease amount to over US$24 billion [3]. Treatment options for infected patients are limited, with only two drugs available (Benznidazoleand Nifurtimox), and require prolonged treatments, which have limited efficacy and important adverse effects [4]. New treatments are therefore needed to improve patient care [5].