Chagas' disease is also known as American trypanosomiaisis. The disease is transmitted by infected insect feces that enter into breaks in the skin, mucus membranes, or the eye. It may also be transmitted by blood donations. The disease is rare in the United States and more common in central and south America. After becoming infected, a person may remain asymptomatic for many, many years. They heart is commonly involved with the disease.
Causes of Chagas' Disease
The cause of Chagas' disease is the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Following the acute illness, most people remain in the asymptomatic indeterminate phase of the disease. In the minority, the parasite actively involves the cardiac and GI tract.
Signs and Symptoms of Chagas' Disease
After about 1 week following infection with the parasite, local swelling and redness at the site of infection occurs. There may be swelling of the lymph nodes in the involved region. Fever and malaise may occur. The acute symptoms resolve themselves in most people. Chronic disease, which may occur even decades later, often leads to irregular heart beats, chest pain, weight loss and pulmonary infection. Cardiomyopathy may develop which leads to potential clots in the heart that can embolize to the brain or other organs leading to strokes.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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