Analysis of the therapeutic gap for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Colombia (2012 - 2022).
- 1Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
- 2Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social, Dirección de Promoción y Prevención, Subdirección de Enfermedades Transmisibles, Grupo Gestión Integrada de Enfermedades Endemo Epidémicas, Colombia.
- 3Universidad Autónoma de Manizales, Colombia.
Abstract
Background
In 2017, an estimated 1.2% of the population at risk for Chagas disease (CD) in Colombia was screened, and only 0.4% were treated. The recent implementation of CD-related Care roadmap has improved access to diagnosis and treatment. However, a therapeutic gap (TG) persists.Objectives
In this work, we aim to analyse the TG for Trypanosoma cruzi/CD infection in Colombia over the last years.Methods
This is a descriptive study estimating the TG for T. cruzi/CD infection between 2012 and 2022. TG is defined as the number of people with a confirmed infection who have the indication of treatment but do not receive it. Two scenarios were considered in the TG analysis: (A) antiparasitic treatment is indicated in 70% of people with confirmed infection; (B) antiparasitic treatment indication in 85%. Data sources were official National and Departmental databases.Findings
In scenario A, the TG was 77.5% in 2012, and by 2022, decreased to 48.1%. Two phases in the TG dynamics were observed: between 2012 and 2014, there was an increase of 4.5%; from 2014 onwards, there was a reduction of 40.7%. The most important reduction of TG was observed in 2018 and 2019. Linear projections from 2014-2022 indicate a potential reduction to 13.7% by 2030. Nevertheless, there are differences in terms of the reduction observed in different departments.Main conclusion
TG calculation allows monitoring of treatment coverage, and its analysis facilitates target interventions to improve it, by reducing TG. Implementing interventions aimed at reducing the TG allows countries like Colombia to take a step forward in CD control.
Related
- Placental immunopathology and congenital transmission of Zika virus and Trypanosoma cruzi: comparative mechanisms, immune disturbances, and potential co-infection scenarios
- Laboratory evaluation of five rapid diagnostic tests for the serological diagnosis of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Yucatan, Mexico
- The Pampa del Indio Project: long-term variations of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Triatoma sordida, a non-target invasive vector.
- First records of Triatoma sanguisuga (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and detection of Trypanosoma cruzi (Trypanosomatida:Trypanosomatidae) in southern New Jersey, United States
- Trypanosoma cruzi cell atlas as a single-cell resource for understanding parasite population heterogeneity and differentiation
BibTeX
@article{herazo2026analysis,
title = {{Analysis of the therapeutic gap for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Colombia (2012 - 2022).}},
author = {Rafael Herazo and Ricardo Andrés Caicedo Díaz and Mauricio Javier Vera Soto and Andrea Liliana Sarmiento Ospina and Diogo Galvão and Andrea Marchiol and Maria-Jesus Pinazo},
journal = {Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1590/0074-02760260007},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42912044},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Analysis of the therapeutic gap for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Colombia (2012 - 2022).
AU - Rafael Herazo
AU - Ricardo Andrés Caicedo Díaz
AU - Mauricio Javier Vera Soto
AU - Andrea Liliana Sarmiento Ospina
AU - Diogo Galvão
AU - Andrea Marchiol
AU - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
DO - 10.1590/0074-02760260007
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42912044
AB - Background In 2017, an estimated 1.2% of the population at risk for Chagas disease (CD) in Colombia was screened, and only 0.4% were treated. The recent implementation of CD-related Care roadmap has improved access to diagnosis and treatment. However, a therapeutic gap (TG) persists.Objectives In this work, we aim to analyse the TG for Trypanosoma cruzi/CD infection in Colombia over the last years.Methods This is a descriptive study estimating the TG for T. cruzi/CD infection between 2012 and 2022. TG is defined as the number of people with a confirmed infection who have the indication of treatment but do not receive it. Two scenarios were considered in the TG analysis: (A) antiparasitic treatment is indicated in 70% of people with confirmed infection; (B) antiparasitic treatment indication in 85%. Data sources were official National and Departmental databases.Findings In scenario A, the TG was 77.5% in 2012, and by 2022, decreased to 48.1%. Two phases in the TG dynamics were observed: between 2012 and 2014, there was an increase of 4.5%; from 2014 onwards, there was a reduction of 40.7%. The most important reduction of TG was observed in 2018 and 2019. Linear projections from 2014-2022 indicate a potential reduction to 13.7% by 2030. Nevertheless, there are differences in terms of the reduction observed in different departments.Main conclusion TG calculation allows monitoring of treatment coverage, and its analysis facilitates target interventions to improve it, by reducing TG. Implementing interventions aimed at reducing the TG allows countries like Colombia to take a step forward in CD control.
SN - 0074-0276
SN - 1678-8060
ER -