Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis) Questions & Answers

Updated: Jul 06, 2023
  • Author: Louis V Kirchhoff, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

Which mammals are infected with T cruzi?

What is Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What causes Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the lifecycle of T cruzi?

What are vectors of T cruzi?

How is Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) transmitted?

What is the pathophysiology of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which organ systems are affected by Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the prevalence of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in the US?

What is the global prevalence of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) internationally?

What is the mortality and morbidity associated with Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What are the racial predilections of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What are the sexual predilections of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How does the morbidity of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) vary by age?

Presentation

What is the incubation of acute Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of acute Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What are the cardiac symptoms of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What are the GI symptoms of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of acute Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of cardiomyopathy in chronic Chagas disease?

Which physical findings are characteristic of megaesophagus in chronic Chagas disease?

Which physical findings are characteristic of megacolon in chronic Chagas disease?

What causes Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)?

Workup

How is the risk for congenital Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) managed?

What is included in the serologic diagnosis of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How is Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) diagnosed?

What is included in the parasitological diagnosis of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the role of polymerase chain reaction assays in the diagnosis of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the role of cardiac testing in the workup of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the role of esophageal manometry and endoscopy in the workup of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Treatment

How is the indeterminate-phase of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) treated?

How is Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) treated?

How is acute Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) treated?

What are the CDC guidelines for the medical treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How is congenial transmission of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) prevented?

When is prophylactic treatment of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) indicated?

When is antiparasitic treatment contraindicated in chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How are the cardiac and GI symptoms of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) treated?

How is cardiopathy treated in Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How is megaesophagus treated in Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How is megacolon treated in Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial to patients with Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which activity modifications are beneficial in the treatment of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment for Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

Which medications in the drug class Antiprotozoal agents are used in the treatment of Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)?

Follow-up

What is included in the long-term monitoring of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

When is inpatient care indicated for Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

How is Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) prevented?

What are the possible complications of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is the prognosis of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?

What is included in patient education about Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)?