Chagas Disease – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Chagas disease, also known as South American thrypanosomiasis, is an infectious disease transmitted by assassin bugs. As the name suggests, this disease occurs mainly in South and Latin America. It is estimated that up to ten million people are infected in Latin American countries.

Chagas disease is particularly common in rural regions of South and Central America. In recent decades, cases of Chagas disease have increased outside of Latin America. This phenomenon can be explained by the improved mobility. People of Latin American descent who emigrate to other countries can also introduce the disease.

causes

Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by parasites . A certain type of assassin bug transmits the pathogen. Chagas disease is most commonly transmitted at night; the nocturnal parasites suck blood from sleeping people.The assassin bugs defecate while sucking blood. The sting results in a small skin injury through which the infectious feces of the animals can enter the human body. Since assassin bugs bite primarily in places with thin skin, infection can also occur through the mucous membranes. For example, if the assassin bug bites near the eyes and the affected person wipes their eyes after waking up, the pathogen can penetrate through the mucous membrane of the eyes.

Chagas disease can also be transmitted from mother to unborn child. Transmission can also occur through breastfeeding. In addition, infected animals such as dogs, cats or rodents can transmit the disease to humans. In rare cases, Chagas disease can be transmitted through infected blood.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of Chagas disease:

• swelling

• shortness of breath

• Fever

• stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• heartache

• lymph node swelling

The first symptom that appears in Chagas disease is a sometimes painful swelling around the bite wound of the assassin bug. Typically, thin areas of skin such as the skin around the mouth or eyes are affected. The so-called Romana character is particularly characteristic; this is an inflammation near the eye caused by the bite of the assassin bug.

The acute phase of Chagas disease occurs in a third of those infected. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and heart pain. There may also be swelling of the lymph nodes. After the acute symptoms have subsided, the transition to the chronic phase takes place. In this phase of the disease, heart problems and gastrointestinal complaints are typical. If the disease is not treated, it can lead to serious complications such as intestinal perforation and death of the person affected.

Diagnose

Chagas disease is best diagnosed in the acute phase of the disease. In this early phase, the pathogens can be identified by means of a blood test . The diagnosis is somewhat more complicated when Chagas disease has reached the chronic stage.

Here, the diagnosis is usually based on antibody tests . In Latin American countries, the trypanosome test is often used for diagnosis. A bred and parasite-free assassin bug is placed on the patient’s skin. A few weeks later, the bug’s feces are examined to see if they contain the parasites.

treatment

Chagas disease must be treated as soon as possible after diagnosis because it is a serious infectious disease that kills about a tenth of those affected who are untreated. Although research is already underway, there is still no vaccine against South American thrypanosomiasis.

Especially in babies, young children, sick people and old people, Chagas disease can be accompanied by serious complications and must be treated without fail. The disease is treated by administering antiprotozoals. Benznidazole or nifortimox is used most frequently. Although drugs exist, treating Chagas disease is often complicated and lengthy.

The antiprotozoals often have serious side effects and are often only effective in the first few weeks after infection, i.e. in the acute stage of the disease. In most cases, the parasite can be controlled by administering antiprotozoals. The chronic form of Chagas disease is difficult to treat. Here, too, an attempt is made to kill the parasites in the body. In addition to this therapy, however, the numerous symptoms of the disease must also be treated.

prevention

In order to effectively prevent Chagas disease, it is necessary to keep the infected assassin bugs away from your own four walls. People living in rural areas of Latin America can protect themselves with mosquito nets on the windows and over the bed, among other things, and thus prevent the disease accordingly.There is also a special wall paint that acts as an insecticide. Dogs and cats should sleep outside of the bedroom.

In this context, transmission through stored blood can be prevented if donated blood is always tested for Chagas disease; however, in some countries in South America this does not happen routinely.