Understanding Chagas Disease and Its Impact

Dec 7, 2024

Lecture on Chagas Disease

Overview

  • Chagas Disease is caused by a protozoan parasite, a type of trypanosome.
  • Predominantly affects 6-7 million people in Mexico, Central, and South America.
  • Known as American trypanosomiasis, distinct from African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness).

Transmission

  • Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.
  • Transmitted by the kissing bug (triatomine bug), which bites typically around the eyes or mouth.
  • Other transmission methods:
    • Mother to child
    • Blood and organ donations
    • Ingesting contaminated food
  • Climate change is causing kissing bugs to move north, with ~300,000 cases in the U.S.

Life Cycle

  • Triatomine Bug bites and defecates simultaneously, leading to infection when feces infects bite cells.
  • Parasites enter blood, then muscle tissue (including heart and gut).
  • Can perpetuate cycle by infecting a new bug and person.

Symptoms

  • Acute Phase: (few weeks to months)
    • Fever
    • Swelling around bite
    • Possible to be asymptomatic
  • Chronic Phase:
    • Asymptomatic for some, but possible severe symptoms for 20-30% of cases:
      • Heart rhythm issues
      • Enlarged heart
      • Dilated esophagus or colon

Treatment and Prevention

  • Early treatment crucial to prevent permanent damage.
  • Effective drugs:
    • Benznidazole
    • Nifurtimox
  • Prevention strategies:
    • Improve housing to reduce bug presence
    • Use insecticides and bed nets
    • Screen blood and organ donations
    • Screen pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Next Topic

  • Brief introduction to infections of the nervous system.