Transcript Chagas Disease

Chagas Disease (American
Trypanosomiasis)
Ushma Vaidya
Chagas Disease is caused by the
protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi
Chagas is prevalent in South America,
Mexico, and Central America
Why is it located in these countries?
Diana is a little girl that lives
in poverty in Mexico
Triatomine “kissing” bugs are the
insect vector for Chagas Disease
Trypanosoma cruzi has infected
you… now what?
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v465/n7301_supp/images/nature09220-f1.2.jpg
Trypanosoma cruzi has infected
you… now what?
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v465/n7301_supp/images/nature09220-f1.2.jpg
T. Cruzi cells are eukaryotic
just like human cells
Patients are diagnosed by
looking for the amastigotes
stage in the blood
The three phases of Chagas Disease
are Acute, Indeterminate, and
Chronic
Phase 1 is the Acute Phase
which lasts for first few
weeks/months of infection
The most noticeable aspect of Chagas
Disease is Romanas Sign
Phase 2 is the Indeterminate
Phase and might also be
asymptomatic
Phase 3 is the Chronic Phase
which can last for years and lead to
serious complication
Serologic Assays are used in
the Chronic Stage to test for
sight of Chagas Disease
There are two choices when trying
to treat this disease!
VS
Benzimidazole (BZ) is the most
commonly used drug for the
treatment of Chagas disease
The best time to get treated for the
disease is in the Acute Phase
Chagas Disease is highly
preventable
Other preventative methods
are useless unless you can first
get improved housing!
VS
Improved living conditions are
the first step to helping many