Chagas disease: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
*Also known as American Trypanosomiasis | |||
*Endemic in rural parts of Cental and South America | *Endemic in rural parts of Cental and South America | ||
**Rare cases found in Southern United States | **Rare cases found in Southern United States | ||
*Caused by the parasite | *Caused by the parasite trypanosoma cruzi | ||
**Vector: Reduviid (kissing bug) | **Vector: Reduviid (kissing bug) | ||
**The parasite is transmitted in the feces of the host vector | **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 | ***When the vector bites, it also defecates and the parasites enter the blood stream through the bite wound | ||
==Transmission== | ===Transmission=== | ||
*Disease of poverty | *Disease of poverty | ||
**Spread by the [[wikipedia:Triatominae|Triatominae]] bug (also known as the kissing bug) | **Spread by the [[wikipedia:Triatominae|Triatominae]] bug (also known as the kissing bug) | ||
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*Blood smear | *Blood smear | ||
*PCR, ELISA, Etc | *PCR, ELISA, Etc | ||
==Diffential Diagnosis== | |||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== |
Revision as of 11:05, 13 January 2015
Background
- 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
Transmission
- 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.
- Spread by the Triatominae bug (also known as the kissing bug)
- Other methods of transmission
- Vertical (mother to child)
- Transfusion/organ donation
Clinical Features
Acute phase
- 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
Chronic phase
- 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
Diagnosis
- Blood smear
- Can visualize parasites
- Blood tests
- PCR, ELISA, immunoflorescence
Work-Up
- EKG
- Liver Enzymes
- Blood smear
- PCR, ELISA, Etc
Diffential Diagnosis
Treatment
- Benznidazole or Nifurtimox
- Symptomatic treatment