Adventure Doc
keeping you healthy for life's adventures
Erik McLaughlin MD, MPH
Affiliates
AMERICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS
Basics:
Also known as “Chagas Disease” and caused by Trypanosoma Cruzi. This is mainly found in children and is a more acute illness than the African versions. Liver/Spleen and lymph node enlargement are common in acute phase. Chronic infection can cause cardio, colon or esophageal –megaly (enlargement of heart, esophagus or colon), years after primary infection.
Location:
Central and South America
Transmission/ Incubation:
Acquired by the bite of an infected Reduviidae bug (especially Triatoma species). Incubation ranges from 5-14 days from time of bite to symptoms of fever or skin nodule formation (chagoma).
Prevention:
Avoidance of bites from infected Reduviid bugs
Diagnosis:
In acute phase, demonstration of trypanosome in direct blood smear is gold standard.
Treatment:
Benznidazole or Nifurtimox are the mainstays. Early diagnosis and treatment is key to prevent the progression later in life.
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Reduviid bug (Triatoma species) aka Kissing Bug
Trypanosoma Cruzi
Trypanosoma Cruzi
Blood smear with Giemsa stain
Blood smear with Giemsa stain under higher power magnification
images from
Also known as Chagas Disease, this parasite causes an acute illness then more problems about 20 years later. Cardiomegaly is common in untreated infection and can manifest as arrythmia (irregular heart beat), dilated cardiomyopathy and/or congestive heart failure. Once the illness has progressed to this stage, only symptomatic treatment is available because the structural damage has been done. For examply, treating the heart failure with common methods for that disease such as diuretics and beta blockers.
