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The BENEFIT trial: testing the hypothesis that trypanocidal therapy is beneficial for patients with chronic Chagas heart disease
Marin-Neto, J Antonio; Rassi Júnior, Anis; Avezum Júnior, Alvaro; Mattos, Antonio C; Rassi, Anis.
  • Marin-Neto, J Antonio; Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Departamento de Medicina Interna. Divisão de Cardiologia. Ribeirão Preto. BR
  • Rassi Júnior, Anis; Hospital Anis Rassi. Goiânia. BR
  • Avezum Júnior, Alvaro; Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia. São Paulo. BR
  • Mattos, Antonio C; Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia. São Paulo. BR
  • Rassi, Anis; Hospital Anis Rassi. Goiânia. BR
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz ; 104(supl.1): 319-324, July 2009.
Article in English | LILACS, SES-SP | ID: lil-520894
ABSTRACT
Among the pathophysiological derangements operating in the chronic phase of Chagas disease, parasite persistence is likely to constitute the main mechanism of myocardial injury in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. The presence of Trypanosoma cruzi in the heart causes a low-grade, but relentless, inflammatory process and induces myocardial autoimmune injury. These facts suggest that trypanocidal therapy may positively impact the clinical course of patients with chronic Chagas heart disease. However, the experimental and clinical evidence currently available is insufficient to support the routine use of etiologic treatment in these patients. The BENEFIT project - Benznidazole Evaluation for Interrupting Trypanosomiasis - is an international, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of trypanocidal treatment with benznidazole in patients with chronic Chagas heart disease. This project is actually comprised of two studies. The pilot study investigates whether etiologic treatment significantly reduces parasite burden, as assessed by polymerase chain reaction-based techniques and also determines the safety and tolerability profile of the trypanocidal drug in this type of chagasic population. The full-scale study determines whether antitrypanosomal therapy with benznidazole reduces mortality and other major cardiovascular clinical outcomes in patients with chronic Chagas heart disease.
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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Trypanocidal Agents / Chagas Cardiomyopathy / Clinical Trials as Topic / Nitroimidazoles Type of study: Controlled clinical trial Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz Year: 2009 Type: Article Institution/Affiliation country: Hospital Anis Rassi/BR / Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia/BR / Universidade de São Paulo/BR

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Trypanocidal Agents / Chagas Cardiomyopathy / Clinical Trials as Topic / Nitroimidazoles Type of study: Controlled clinical trial Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz Year: 2009 Type: Article Institution/Affiliation country: Hospital Anis Rassi/BR / Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia/BR / Universidade de São Paulo/BR