Current knowledge regarding Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas disease in Mexico: a systematic review

The aim of this review was to systematize, evaluate and synthesize original research specific to Mexico on Trypanosoma cruzi, the zoonosis, vectors (Triatominae: Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Chagas disease (CD) using PRISMA methodology. The evidence was identified through four search engines, selected using inclusion criteria, assigned to 13 topics, and evaluated using technical criteria. Of 1,410 records identified, 659 (46.7%) were chosen for technical evaluation, of which 221 (15.7%) were rated as the highest quality. PubMed contributed 95% of the records, while BibTri, Lilacs and Scielo contributed the remaining 5%. Publication rate was constant between 1950 and 1990, although there was an exponential increase from 1995 to 2020. Publication quality also increased from 5.3% of registries in 1990 to 49.8% in 2020. Systemic, economic, anthropological and social aspects of CD in Mexico were the topics least represented (8%). Despite the remarkable increase in knowledge generated in the last two decades in Mexico, this systematic review highlights the failure to incorporate academic expertise as well as civil society and existing evidence into care, prevention, and control of CD for public health policy in the country.