CHAGAS DISEASE

Lucy Shearer

Carlos Chagas discovered the disease in 1909

© Oswaldo Cruz House - Fiocruz

T. Cruzi is a single cell parasite...

…that is transmitted via the Triatomine bug

T. Cruzi has distinct phases throughout its life cycle

Chagas Has Two Phases:

Acute PhaseChronic Phase

The most recognizable symptom is Romaña’s Sign

Chagas is the leading cause of infectious cardiomyopathy worldwide

The Acute Phase is potentially treatable

Benznidazole

Nifurtimox

Chagas Disease affects mainly Latin American countries…

…Yet there are many reported cases globally

Fortunately, the numbers for Chagas are on the decline

Sources

http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/OB/News/B707772F_Hot.asp

http://www.sciencecases.org/chagas/chagas2.asp http://www.health.gov.mt/impaedcard/issue/

issue5/2839/2839.htm http://www.health.gov.mt/impaedcard/issue/

issue5/2839/2839.htm http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs340/en/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001372.htm http://treatchagas.org/cp_chagas_globalview.aspx http://www.chagas-rompe-el-silencio.com/mainchallenges.html http://treatchagas.org/cp_chagas_globalview.aspx http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/184 http://www.treatchagas.org/imagens/MapChagasJun09_large.jpg