Chagas disease: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:53, 29 June 2015

Also known as American Trypanosomiasis
Endemic in rural parts of Cental and South America
- Rare cases found in Southern United States
Caused by the parasite trypanosoma cruzi
- Vector: Reduviid (kissing bug)
- The parasite is transmitted in the feces of the host vector
  - When the vector bites, it also defecates and the parasites enter the blood stream through the bite wound

Disease of poverty
- Spread by the Triatominae bug (also known as the kissing bug)
  - The Triatomina bug thrives in housing that is old, has thatched roofs and dwellings where the roof does not abut the wall.
Other methods of transmission
- Vertical (mother to child)
- Transfusion/organ donation

Romañas sign
- swelling of the eye thought to be secondary to rubbing the feces into the eye
Chagoma
- Localized swelling at the area of parasite entry
Non-specific signs and symptoms
- Fever, fatigue, myalgias, headache, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea
Serious complications
- Myocarditis, arrhythmia, encephalitis

Between 20-40% of patients will develop chronic complications
Cardiac complications
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (CHF)
- Dysrhythmias
GI complications
- Megaesophagus
- Megacolon
- Achalasia
- Hepatosplenomegaly (secondary to HF)
Neuro symptoms
- Neuritis

Authors:

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 **Localized swelling at the area of parasite entry
 *Non-specific signs and symptoms
-**Fever, fatigue, myalgias, headache, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea
+**[[Fever]], fatigue, myalgias, [[headache]], anorexia, [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]]
 *Serious complications
-**Myocarditis, arrhythmia, encephalitis
+**[[Myocarditis]], [[arrhythmia]], [[encephalitis]]
 ===Chronic phase===
 *Between 20-40% of patients will develop chronic complications