Table of Contents
Why does Chagas disease affect the heart?
The pathology of Chagas disease is based in an inmunoinflammatory reaction producing fibrosis and remodelling, mainly in the myocardium. In many cases these mechanisms result in a dilated cardiomyopathy with HF and reduced ejection fraction, frequent cardiac arrhythmias and different types of heart block.
What type of cardiomyopathy is caused by Chagas disease?
Chagas heart disease, a form of a dilated cardiomyopathy caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major cause of cardiovascular related death in endemic areas.
How does T cruzi lead to heart disease?
Cardiac inflammation and damage during the acute phase of Chagas disease result from high-grade parasitemia and intense direct tissue parasitism.
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.
What parasite causes heart problems?
DALLAS, Aug. 20, 2018 — Chagas disease, caused by infection with a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi (T cruzi), causes chronic heart disease in about one third of those infected.
What are the symptoms of having a parasite?
Some of the most common signs of a parasitic infection include:
- Stomach cramps and pain.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Dehydration.
- Weight loss.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Digestive problems including unexplained constipation, diarrhoea or persistent gas.
- Skin issues such as rashes, eczema, hives, and itching.
- Continuous muscle and joint pain.
Can a parasite cause rapid heartbeat?
Severe complications from the parasite can include heart tissue inflammation and life-threatening arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, researchers reported in the journal StatPearls.
What are the symptoms of Chagas heart disease?
Chagas Heart Disease. Chagas heart disease is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the heart enlarges to try to compensate for the weakness of the heart muscle. Eventually, the cardiac weakness leads to heart failure. Consequently, people with Chagas heart disease experience the entire range of symptoms common to those with heart failure.
How long does the acute phase of Chagas disease last?
The acute phase of Chagas disease, which lasts for weeks or months, is often symptom-free. When signs and symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and may include: Signs and symptoms that develop during the acute phase usually go away on their own. If left untreated, the infection persists and, in some cases, advances to the chronic phase.
What are the symptoms of Chagas disease megacolon?
Megacolon occurs when your colon becomes abnormally dilated, causing stomach pain, swelling and severe constipation. If you live in a high-risk area for Chagas disease, these steps can help you prevent infection: Avoid sleeping in a mud, thatch or adobe house.
How can you tell if your baby has Chagas disease?
The infant has signs suggestive of Chagas disease; or The mother has not been screened but is from an endemic area where she may have acquired the infection. Infant diagnosis relies on detection of the parasite after birth by microscopic examination of blood smears and/or PCR testing for Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in blood.