Doença de Chagas no Brasil, foco no estado do Tocantins e a importância dos bancos de sangue para a identificação de novos casos

As the vector control of Triatoma infestanswas conducted in Brazil, the transmission profile of Chagas disease (CD) has changed, with an increase of interest to other pathways, including transfusion. This study aimed to analyze the CD in Brazil, focusing on the state of Tocantins, and make an analysis of the importance of blood banks in the delimitation of new cases. Sectional study was conducted in a period from 2007to 2014. The northern region, in which is situated the state of Tocantins, concentrates 90% of cases of Brazil. Today, 80% of the cities in Tocantins are at risk of having transmission of the disease due the invasion of homes by wild vector species, caused by the environmental impact resulted from the action of man in natural areas. The largest number of people infected in Tocantins is in the age group of potential blood donors. Due studies demonstrating the effectiveness in controlling transfusion transmission and methods of detection of CD in blood donors, we can conclude that blood banks have importance in the screening and diagnosis of new cases.