We describe the eleventh major outbreak of foodborne
Trypanosoma cruzi
transmission in urban Venezuela, including
evidence for vertical transmission from the index case to her fetus. After confirming fetal death at 24 weeks
of gestation, pregnancy interruption was performed. On direct examination of the amniotic fluid, trypomastigotes
were detected.
T. cruzi specific-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) also proved positive when examining autopsied
fetal organs. Finally, microscopic fetal heart examination revealed amastigote nests. Acute orally transmitted Chagas
disease can be life threatening or even fatal for pregnant women and unborn fetuses owing to vertical transmission.
There is therefore an urgent need to improve national epidemiologic control measures.
