ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is gaining importance in the Brazilian Amazon region as a differential diagnosis of febrile syndrome. The most recent microoutbreak occurred in Ipixuna, in Amazonas state. METHODS: An epidemiological survey was conducted using parasitological and serological tests, and electrocardiographic analysis. RESULTS: The patients belonged to one family and had ingested açaí acquired from Ipixuna. All patients reported fever and initially a thick blood smear test was done to identify Trypanosoma cruzi. Benznidazole treatment was administered to all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the epidemiological dynamics of Chagas disease allows us to improve control and management measures for this disease.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease , Trypanosoma cruzi , Brazil/epidemiology , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Chagas Disease/drug therapy , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , HumansABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Background: Chagas disease is gaining importance in the Brazilian Amazon region as a differential diagnosis of febrile syndrome. The most recent microoutbreak occurred in Ipixuna, in Amazonas state. Methods: An epidemiological survey was conducted using parasitological and serological tests, and electrocardiographic analysis. Results: The patients belonged to one family and had ingested açaí acquired from Ipixuna. All patients reported fever and initially a thick blood smear test was done to identify Trypanosoma cruzi. Benznidazole treatment was administered to all patients. Conclusions: Knowledge of the epidemiological dynamics of Chagas disease allows us to improve control and management measures for this disease.
ABSTRACT
Chagas disease (CD), with approximately 10,000 deaths annually, has become a worldwide health problem. Approximately 35% of cases may show cardiac manifestations such as arrhythmias and/or conduction disorders, heart failure, thromboembolic accidents, and sudden death. The Amazon region has long been considered a non-endemic area for CD; however, in the last decades, with an increase in the number of acute and chronic cases, disease evolution has received greater attention. Here, we report the successful implementation of a cardioverter-defibrillator for the prevention of sudden death in a patient with autochthonous Chagas cardiomyopathy in the Brazilian Amazon.
Subject(s)
Chagas Cardiomyopathy , Defibrillators, Implantable , Brazil , Chagas Cardiomyopathy/complications , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control , Electrocardiography , HumansABSTRACT
Abstract Chagas disease (CD), with approximately 10,000 deaths annually, has become a worldwide health problem. Approximately 35% of cases may show cardiac manifestations such as arrhythmias and/or conduction disorders, heart failure, thromboembolic accidents, and sudden death. The Amazon region has long been considered a non-endemic area for CD; however, in the last decades, with an increase in the number of acute and chronic cases, disease evolution has received greater attention. Here, we report the successful implementation of a cardioverter-defibrillator for the prevention of sudden death in a patient with autochthonous Chagas cardiomyopathy in the Brazilian Amazon.
