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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.
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