Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase
08:48

In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase

Published on: November 5, 2021

Chagas disease as a cause of symptomatic chronic myocardopathy in Mexican children

Paz Maria Salazar-Schettino1, Rafael Perera, Adela Luisa Ruiz-Hernandez

  • 1Laboratorio de Biología de Parásitos, Departmento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, Distrito Federal, CP, Mexico. pazmar@servidor.unam.mx

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|October 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children in Mexico may develop symptomatic Chagas disease myocardopathy earlier than expected. Early cardiac monitoring for pediatric Chagas disease is crucial for timely intervention and management.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Chagas disease, caused by *Trypanosoma cruzi*, is a significant public health concern.
  • Chronic Chagas disease can lead to cardiomyopathy, a serious cardiac condition.
  • Pediatric Chagas disease is often asymptomatic, with limited data on early chronic manifestations.

Observation:

  • A cohort of 826 children in Queretaro, Mexico, was screened for Chagas disease.
  • Eleven children tested positive for *Trypanosoma cruzi* antibodies.
  • Four of the 11 positive children exhibited electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations.

Findings:

  • Three children presented with symptoms of chronic Chagas disease, including chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia.
  • This suggests symptomatic chronic Chagas disease myocardopathy may manifest earlier in children than previously understood.
  • The prevalence of symptomatic chronic Chagas disease in this pediatric cohort was 27% (95% CI: 6%-61%).

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for early onset of symptomatic chronic Chagas disease myocardopathy in children.
  • Underscores the critical need for longitudinal cardiologic follow-up in all children diagnosed with acute Chagas disease.
  • Emphasizes proactive screening and monitoring strategies for pediatric populations in endemic areas to prevent severe cardiac complications.

More Related Videos

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates13:55

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates

Published on: January 27, 2019

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model09:23

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model

Published on: July 29, 2012

Related Concept Videos

American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Esophageal Achalasia01:27

Esophageal Achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...