Short-course Benznidazole Treatment to Reduce Trypanosoma cruzi Parasitic Load in Women of Reproductive Age (BETTY): A Non-inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol

Abstract Background Retrospective observational studies suggest that transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi does not occur in treated women when pregnant later in life. The level of parasitemia is a known risk factor for congenital transmission. Benznidazole (BZN) is the drug of choice for preconceptional treatment to reduce parasitic load. The fear of treatment-related side effects limits the implementation of the Argentine guideline recommending BZN 60d/300mg (or equivalent) treatment of T. cruzi seropositive women during the postpartum period to prevent transmission in a future pregnancy. A short and low dose BZN treatment might reduce major side effects and increase compliance, but its efficacy to reduce T. cruzi parasitic load compared to the standard 60d/300mg course is not yet established. Clinical trials testing alternative BZN courses among women of reproductive age are urgently needed.Methods and design We are proposing to perform a double-blinded, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial comparing a short low dose 30-day treatment with BZN 150mg/day (30d/150mg) vs. BZN 60d/300mg. We will recruit not previously treated T. cruzi seropositive women with a live birth during the postpartum period in Argentina, randomize them at six months postpartum, and follow them up with the following specific aims:Specific aim 1: to measure the effect of BZN 30d/150mg compared to 60d/300mg preconceptional treatment on parasitic load measured by the frequency of positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (primary outcome) and by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), immediately and 10 months after treatment.Specific aim 2: to measure the frequency of serious adverse events and/or any adverse event leading to treatment interruption.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03672487. Registered 14 September 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03672487?recrs=a&cond=Chagas+Disease&cntry=AR&draw=2&rank=3