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Exploring the latency period in Chagas disease: duration and determinants in a cohort from Colombia
Mario Javier Olivera1, Lyda Muñoz1
1Departamento de investigación en salud pública, Grupo de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá 111321, D.C., Colombia.
Insights
Factors influencing Chagas disease cardiac progression were identified. Male gender, specific genotypes, and prolonged exposure in endemic areas shorten latency, while etiological treatment extends it, aiding disease management.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Cardiology
- * Epidemiology
Background:
- * Chagas disease, a parasitic infection, exhibits variable latency periods before cardiac complications arise.
- * Understanding factors influencing this latency is crucial for disease management and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify and analyze factors affecting the latency period of cardiac symptoms in indeterminate chronic Chagas disease.
- * To enhance knowledge regarding the progression of Chagas disease to cardiac manifestations.
Main Methods:
- * Retrospective follow-up study in Colombia involving 578 patients with indeterminate chronic Chagas disease.
- * Analysis of medical records to determine latency periods using time ratios (TRs) and the AFT Weibull model.
Main Results:
- * Median latency period for cardiac disease was 18.5 years; 53.5% of patients developed cardiac involvement.
- * Shorter latency was associated with male gender, TcISyl genotype, and longer residence in high-prevalence areas (5-30+ years).
- * Etiological treatment was linked to a longer latency period (TR: 1.74).
Conclusions:
- * Latency period is independently influenced by male gender, etiological treatment, duration of exposure in endemic zones, and TcISyl genotype.
- * Findings provide insights into Chagas disease progression and potential therapeutic targets.
Background:
Chagas disease has a varying latency period, the time between infection and onset of cardiac symptoms, due to multiple factors. This study seeks to identify and understand these factors to enhance our knowledge of the disease.
Methods:
A retrospective follow-up study was conducted in Colombia on patients with indeterminate chronic Chagas disease. Medical files were examined to evaluate the disease latency time using time ratios (TRs) and the AFT Weibull model.
Results:
The study followed 578 patients, of whom 309 (53.5%) developed cardiac disease, with a median latency period of 18.5 (95% CI 16 to 20) y for the cohort. Those with the TcISyl genotype (TR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.80), individuals who lived 5-15 y (TR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.95), 15-30 y (TR 0.63; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.74) or >30 y (vs 5 y) in areas with high disease prevalence had shorter latency periods. On the other hand, undergoing treatment increased the latency period (TR: 1.74; 95% CI 1.52 to 1.87).
Conclusions:
The latency period of Chagas disease was found to be independently related to male gender, receipt of etiological treatment, length of time spent in an endemic area and the TcISyl genotype. The implications of these findings are discussed.
