This document discusses Chagas disease, which is caused by infection with the trypanosome Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite destroys neurons in the digestive system and heart muscle, which can lead to enlargement of the esophagus and colon. Chronic Chagas disease also causes severe heart disease characterized by enlargement and aneurysms of the heart. Symptoms include those of heart failure, intestinal issues, and irregular heartbeats. The disease is transmitted by triatomine bugs that carry the parasite after feeding on infected rodents or other animals. Treatment involves pest control and anti-parasitic drugs such as benznidazole.

1. WHAT IS IT?
 Infectious disease is caused
by trypanosome cruzi,
infection that destroy
especially the neurons cells of
the digestive system and the
heart muscle. Denervation of
these tissues leading as a
consequence the
development of megas:
Megaesophagus; megacolon
HEART DISEASE
 The disease leading also a
severe heart disease
characterized by cardiac
enlargement, aneurysm of
the tip of the heart and
arrhythmias.

2. CLINICAL FINDINGS
 Signs and symptoms of heart
failure and cardiac arrhitmias
 Symptoms of megacolon and
megaesophagus: Intestinal
constipation and dysphagia
SEROLOGY
 Elisa (enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay) (Indirect
Immunofluorescence IFIS) (HAI
indirect hemagglutination) 
Chronic phase (determineded and
underterminated)
 In acute stage : Microscopy of blood
thick films

3. TRIATOMINES
 The triatome,
hematofagus bug,
contaminated by the blood
of wild rodents and skunks
transmit the disease to
men, sucking blood and
defecating the parasite
that penetrates the blod
stream
RHODNIUS PROLIXUS

6.  Acute Phase 
myocarditis,
meningoencephalitis.
 Chronic phase :
 A detemineted
 B undetermneted :
without simptoms

8.  Pest control with insecticides

9. Anti-parasitic drugs :
 1-Benznidazol (rochagan): 5 mg/d b.i.d. during 30 - 60 days
for acute and chronic stages (Undetermined); is not effective
in determided stage
 Nifurtimox
 Allopurinol and itraconazole are under evaluation
 Pacemaker to A-V Block
 Surgery for megaesophagus and megacolon