1. Chagas Disease
Ashleigh Dixon

2. History Discovered 1909 by Carlos Chagas
Caused by a protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi
Also called American Trypanosomiasis
Trypanosoma cruzi is the most important vector-based disease in Latin America.

3. Widely Distributed throughout Latin America
16 to 18 million
people infected

4. 50,000 people die per year

5. Transmitted by Blood Sucking Insects
Feces deposits on skin
Triatomine bug ->
Humans contract Chagas Disease from triatomine bugs.transmission persists in many areas, particulary in the gran chaco region of Argentina where Triatoma infestans. Instect carrying parasite deposits feces on the persons skin.When the person rubs their eyes, mouth or the bite wound, the feces containing parasite enters the bloodstream. Through blood transfusions, from mother to child during pregnancy, through organ transplants or contaminated food.

6. Other forms of Transmission
Blood Transfusions
Organ transplants
Contaminated food
Congenital

7. Stages of Transmission

8. Risk Factors
Poor housing
Poverty
Blood transfusions

9. Acute Phase Symptoms Swelling of the eyelids -> Fever Body aches
Headache
Rash
Vomiting
Progresses in stages, acute stage occurs directly after infection. Children may show signs of fever swollen lymph glands, enlarged liver or spleen, or inflamed bite wound. Intermediate stage begins between 8 and 10 weeks after initial infection and may last many years, people infected can carry the parasite for years without knowing it.20-30% of those infected develpoe the cronic form of the disease up to 10 or 20 years after contracting, will have developed legions causing irreversable damage to the heart esophagus and colon heart failure is common cause of death among young adults.

10. Chronic Phase Symptoms
Cardiac complications
Intestinal complications

11. Diagnosing Chagas Disease
Physical examination
Peripheral blood smear
Blood culture

12. Treating Chagas Disease
Two drugs
Benznidazole
Nifurtimox
30 to 60 days
MSF has been working with patients suffering from Chagas since MSF is urging the production and availibility of nifurtimox and benznidazol, the two existing drugs, be secured. Pediatric versions of the existing drug be developed diagnostic tests for all stages of the

13. Ongoing eradication campaign
Insect control
Screening from donors to blood banks
WHO, MSF

14. References
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