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Acid secretion in patients with Chagas' disease
Acta Gastroenterologica Latinoamericana
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Patients with Chagas' Disease exhibit reduced stomach acid secretion due to decreased parietal cell sensitivity. This may stem from nerve damage affecting vagal input, impacting digestive function.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Chagas' Disease (CD) is caused by *Trypanosoma cruzi*.
- CD can affect the gastrointestinal tract, potentially altering gastric function.
- Understanding acid secretion patterns in CD is crucial for managing digestive complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare gastric acid secretory patterns in Chagas' Disease patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the role of vagal and cellular sensitivity in altered acid secretion in CD.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated basal and stimulated gastric acid output using Pentagastrin and Urecholine.
- Administered a Calcium infusion test to assess acid secretion.
- Performed histological examination of gastric mucosa in CD patients.
Main Results:
- Chagas' Disease patients showed significantly lower basal, Pentagastrin-stimulated, and Calcium-stimulated acid secretion compared to controls.
- Combined Pentagastrin and Urecholine stimulation yielded a variable response in CD patients, not reaching statistical significance.
- Histological data on gastric mucosa was also analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Reduced gastric acid secretion in CD patients is likely due to decreased parietal cell sensitivity.
- This decreased sensitivity may result from vagal nerve damage caused by Chagas' Disease.
- While a smaller stomach size is unlikely, altered cellular function is the primary hypothesis.
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