What is Chaggas Disease?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (2020), Chagas disease is caused by the parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease can potentially cause a life threatening illness. The parasite is transferred to humans and animals via blood-sucking insect vectors such as that of the Triatomine bug (Longmore et al, 2007). The bugs are endemic in areas like South America. However, due to increasing migration flows and population movement, it is possible that these parasites may be spread to non-endemic areas (Eugenio & Minakawa, 2012). Reports of Chagas’ disease in the United Kingdom are rare and all cases identified were from migrants coming from Latin America. (Public Health England as mentioned by Gov.UK, 2016).
What are the signs and symptoms of Chaggas disease?
Chagas’ disease is also sometimes termed as American trypanosomiasis. The bite of a kissing bug can cause skin irritations and depending on several factors such as age, how the person acquired the infection, and the strain of the Trypanosome cruzi parasite, the severity and course of infection can vary and consists of two phases: the acute and chronic phase.
Although the disease is considered as life threatening, it can be symptom free for some people (WHO, 2020). Acute symptoms are usually asymptomatic, however , chronic infection is associated with high ratios of mortality and morbidity (Teixeira et al, 2006). The Wold Health Organisation mentions the following possible signs and symptoms on their website:
Initial Acute Phase (can last up to 2 months)
Skin lesions
Purplish swelling of one eye (Romana’s sign)
Muscle pain, fever, breathing difficulties, lymph node enlargement, headaches, chest and / or abdominal pain.
Chronic Phase
Cardiac and gastrointestinal complications such as arrhythmias and colon or oesophageal enlargement.
Romana’s Sign – periorbital oedema
caused by the Chagas disease
How is the disease treated?
The treatment of the infection in Chagas disease include the use of antiparasitic agents such as Nifurtimox or Benzindazole. Other treatment modalities may also be implemented by the doctor / healthcare provider to manage the signs and symptoms experienced by the patient.
If you want to read more about Chagas disease, you can check these links out:
For more information about Romana’s sign, check the link below:
Disclaimer:
The content in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is always best to consult your doctor for medical questions that you might have.
If you are a healthcare provider, the content here should not be used to make any diagnosis, give advice or prescribe treatment as this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. Healthcare is an everchanging field and each patient is unique. It is your responsibility as a healthcare provider to always refer to current care standards and practices.
Reference List:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevenntion, 2020. CDC - Chagas Disease - Detailed Faqs. [online] Cdc.gov. Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/detailed.html> [Accessed 15 November 2020].
Eugenio, Fonzi & Minakawa, Noboru. (2012). THE KISSING BUG IN QUEZON CITY,PHILIPPINES. 67-67. 10.11536/jsmez.64.0_67_1.
Longmore, M., Wilkinson, I, Turmezei, T. and Cheung, C.K. (2007) Oxford handbook of clinical medicine for PDAs / Murray Longmore ... [et al.]. 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Public Health England (2016). Chagas Disease: Migrant Health Guide. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/guidance/chagas-disease-migrant-health-guide> [Accessed 15 November 2020].
Teixeira, A., Nitz, N., Guimaro, M., Gomes, C. and Santos-Buch, C., 2006. Chagas disease. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 82(974), pp.788-798.
World Health Organisation, 2020. Chagas Disease. [online] Who.int. Available at: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis)> [Accessed 15 November 2020].
Images:
webMD, 2019. The Kissing Bug. [image] Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20190426/dangerous-kissing-bug-marches-north-in-us> [Accessed 15 November 2020].
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