American Trypanosomiasis
Synonyms
Chagas disease
Definition
Chagas’ disease is tropical parasitic disease typical for
South and Central America caused by the parasite Trypanosoma
cruzi. It usually affects children and young
adults and is transmitted by the feces of infected insects,
typically the assassin bug. Most of those infected have
mild symptoms, such as fever and swelling and redness
around the eyes, but from 10% to 30% develop chronic
disease that may result in serious or fatal inflammation
of the brain and heart tissues. There is no vaccine and
no satisfactory treatment for chronic cases.
Cross-References
Chagas Disease
Tags: american trypanosomiasis, assassin bug, central america, chronic cases, chronic disease, fatal inflammation, feces, fever, heart, inflammation of the brain, insects, mild symptoms, parasite, parasitic disease, satisfactory treatment, synonyms, tissues, young adults
