Scientists in Bolivia's Chaco area have recently claimed that ttey have developed a novel diagnostic method that could revolutionise the diagnosis of Chagas disease in newborns offering a beacon of hope for millions affected by the disease especially in Latin America.

PrintrLab-LAMP is a new test that combines DNA extraction equipment on a modified 3D printer with loop-mediated isothermal molecular amplification (LAMP). This study aims to identify the T. cruzi infection, the parasite causing Chagas disease, in newborns. The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), in collaboration with several international partners, including the CEADES Foundation and AI Biosciences, reports significant progress in identifying this major health risk.

T. cruzi, also known as Trypanosoma cruzi, is a small parasite that can cause Chagas disease. This illness is very serious and can be life-threatening. Infected triatomine bugs, also known as kissing bugs, primarily transmit the parasite to humans and other mammals through their bites. During pregnancy, Chagas disease can also spread from a mother to her child through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.

When T. cruzi enters the body, it usually goes into cells like those in the heart and digestive tract. If left untreated, this can lead to severe long-term health issues. It is extremely important to detect and treat the T. cruzi infection as soon as possible to prevent serious complications of Chagas disease.

Chagas disease, also known as vertical or congenital transmission, transmits from mother to child during pregnancy and accounts for 20% of newly occurring cases. Early identification is crucial since it prevents serious health issues and enables quick treatment. Usually insensitive and requiring several tests over months, current diagnostic methods in endemic regions rely on microscopy and serology.

Because of its endemicity in Latin America, the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes a serious public health problem known as Chagas disease. Chagas disease has a significant global burden, with an estimated six to seven million people affected. Most cases occur in poor rural areas of Latin America, where conditions are ideal for the spread of triatomine bugs.

Migration from regions where Chagas disease is common has raised concerns in countries where it is not prevalent. Untreated Chagas disease can lead to severe heart and stomach problems, significantly impacting public health systems.

Efforts to control Chagas disease involve programmes that aim to reduce the spread of the disease by targeting the insects that carry it. Initiatives are also in place to facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Nevertheless, the global burden of this disease remains a challenge due to limited resources, diagnostic limitations, and its chronic nature.

Researcher Julio Alonso Padilla of ISGlobal underlined the need for a quick, sensitive, basic diagnostic tool for newborns in endemic areas with limited access to contemporary medical facilities.

During their study, the scientists evaluated PrintrLab-LAMP's performance concerning more conventional techniques, such as PCR. Early on, PrintrLab-LAMP identified more cases of congenital transmission than microscopy and was almost as successful as PCR, which is more costly and resource-intensive.

"This shows that PrintrLab-LAMP is not only more sensitive than microscopy but also more affordable and requires minimum infrastructure," researcher Alonso Padilla stated.

Emphasising the need for early diagnosis in the therapy of Chagas disease, all babies identified with the condition received fast treatment in line with national recommendations.

Although the study provided a proof of concept, professionals advise more research in larger groups and other environments to verify its possible general relevance. If the PrintrLab-LAMP test succeeds, it could identify acute infections in individuals and track treatment efficacy.

The results provide hope for better healthcare outcomes in areas affected by Chagas disease, possibly influencing the diagnosis and treatment approach used there.