What are the symptoms of T. cruzi?
When signs and symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and may include:
- Swelling at the infection site.
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Rash.
- Body aches.
- Eyelid swelling.
- Headache.
- Loss of appetite.
What disease does the T. cruzi parasite cause?
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors and is found only in the Americas (mainly, in rural areas of Latin America where poverty is widespread). Chagas disease (T. cruzi infection) is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis.
What type of parasite is Trypanosoma cruzi?
The protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, causes Chagas disease, a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans by blood-sucking triatomine bugs.
How does Chagas disease cause death?
In persons with chronic chagasic heart disease, mortality is primarily due to the rhythm disturbances and congestive heart failure that result from the chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy driven by the persistent presence of parasites in heart tissue.
Can you recover from Chagas disease?
Chagas disease is curable if treated soon after infection. Unfortunately, most infected people are unaware of their infection until it’s too late, and they present with complications of chronic heart or bowel problems.
What organs are affected by Chagas disease?
However, in about 20-30% of people, the disease progresses, mainly affecting the heart or gastro-intestinal organs. This occurs 10 to 20 years after the initial infection. In the heart, the disease can cause enlargement of the heart muscle, leading to heart failure.
How does Chagas disease affect the body?
Chagas disease (also termed American trypanosomiasis) is an infection caused by a protozoan parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) that can result in acute inflammatory skin changes (chagomas) and eventually may cause infection and inflammation of many other body tissues, especially those of the heart and intestinal tract.
How is Chagas diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.
What organs affect Chagas?
The heart is the most commonly affected organ in persons with chronic Chagas disease. Autopsy may reveal marked bilateral ventricular enlargement, often involving the right side more than the left, in the heart of patients who die of chagasic heart failure (see image below).
What organ is targeted during an infection with T. cruzi?
Bone Marrow Is a Target Organ in Orally Induced Trypanosoma cruzi Acute Infection. During the acute phase of oral T.
Can Chagas disease be detected by blood test?
Blood smear is the most common method of identifying acute Chagas disease and is commercially available. PCR testing is the most sensitive option to detect early acute-phase Chagas disease and can be ordered through the CDC.
How is T. cruzi transmitted?
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is most commonly transmitted by biting insects known as ‘kissing bugs’ that are infected with the parasite.
Can Chagas disease be cured?
Treatment. To kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if given soon after infection at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.
How do doctors check for Chagas?
Can Chagas be cured?