Bridging the Nervous-Endocrine System and Immune Response, in Human Chagas Disease Pathology

Background: Chronic Chagas disease can affect multiple organs, most notably the heart and gastrointestinal tract, and in some cases, the nervous system. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of this parasitic infection remain incompletely understood. Summary: Evidence from studies in both mice with acute Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection and in patients with Chagas disease has revealed a range of immune-neuroendocrine alterations and metabolic disruptions. In this review, we highlight key findings in human Chagas disease related to these abnormalities and discuss their potential contributions to disease pathogenesis. Key Messages: In the context of chronic Chagas disease, the neuroendocrine-immune axis operates as a dynamic interface, integrating systemic immune-endocrine processes with localized responses in the central nervous system (CNS), with each component influencing disease advancement and organ-specific pathology through distinct yet interconnected mechanisms.