April 14th is the 2018 Chagas International Day and as every year, Biokit wants to collaborate in disseminating the health impact of this disease.

Chagas disease is a chronic tropical parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is endemic to America, distributed from Mexico to Chile. It is estimated to be infected with Chagas disease between 6 and 7 million people worldwide, with about 50 000 deaths. The disease is more prevalent in poorer rural Latin America. However, due to population mobility between Latin America and the rest of the world, Chagas disease is present in many countries in the world: US with 300.000 infected people and Europe, with 80.000 infected people are the geographical areas out of Latin America with highest prevalence.

Recognized by WHO (World Health Organization) as one of 13 world's most tropical neglected diseases and by PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) as a disease of poverty. Chagas disease remains a significant social and economic problem in many countries in Latin America.

Biokit contributes to the study and the awareness of the Chagas disease by sponsoring a dedicated workshop in Barcelona since 2005. Last 8 th of March 2018 it was celebrated the 14 th edition. The main focus in this edition was Advances in the prevention of Chagas disease. It has been highlighted advances in vaccine prototypes in non-human primates, multisectorial plans for control and prevention of the disease, opportunities to access to diagnostics and treatment, and a very interesting lecture about new biomarkers to evaluate the therapeutic impact in Chagas treated patients. There were oral presentations and group discussions on hot topics related to Chagas disesase as well.

You will find a summary of all lectures, posters and oral presentations that were presented in the “XIV Workshop on Chagas disease” on the ISGlobal website at the following link