Triatomine home invasions in active foci of Chagas disease in Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a parasitic infection with high re-emergence rates in some Amazon regions. The main vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi are haematophagous insects, the triatomines. Only a few reports are available about the occurrence of these wild vectors and their contact with the inhabitants of the riverside regions of the Amazon. This study describes the unusual behaviour of the triatomines that have invaded the homes of the residents of Abaetetuba, the city that has the second highest number of cases of Chagas disease. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted using sero-epidemiological surveys of the inhabitants of Abaetetuba with registered triatomine home invasions. The frequencies of the variables of interest were analysed using Epi Info version 7.2. RESULTS: In 2014 and 2017, 145 persons registered home invasions of triatomines in their domiciles and 16.55% reported having been bitten by insects. The environmental features described indicated potential conditions for the persistence of the parasite's life cycle. Of the enrolled inhabitants, 0.47% were positive for immunoglobulin G anti-T. cruzi antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Home invasions of triatomines were confirmed in two periods, with a description of unusual behaviour for the genus Rhodnius. The use of serological surveillance in human populations at risk of this occurrence may constitute a new tool for the early detection of silent infections.

Clinical, Cardiological and Serologic Follow-Up of Chagas Disease in Children and Adolescents from the Amazon Region, Brazil: Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of Chagas disease (CD) by foodborne transmission is a problem related to deforestation, exposing people to triatomines infected by T. cruzi, in the Amazon region. Once involving long-time follow-up, the treatment efficacy of the CD during its acute phase is still unknown. The authors aim to describe the clinical and epidemiologic profile of children and adolescents with CD, as well as treatment and cardiac involvement during the follow-up. Methods: A descriptive cohort study was conducted from 1998 to 2013 among children and adolescents up to 18 years-old with confirmed diagnosis of CD. All participants met the criteria of CD in the acute phase. Results: A total of 126 outpatients were included and received treatment and follow-up examinations during a medium period of 10.9 years/person. Most of them (68.3%) had their diagnosis established during oral transmission outbreaks. The diagnostic method with the most positive results rate (80.9%) was the IgM class anti-T. cruzi antibody test as an acute phase marker, followed by the thick blood smears (60.8%). Acute myopericarditis was demonstrated in 18.2% of the patients, most of them with favorable evolution, though 2.4% (3/126) persisted with cardiac injury observed at the end point of the follow-up. Conclusions: Antibodies against T. cruzi persisted in 54.8% of sera from the patients without prognostic correlation with cardiac involvement. Precocious treatment can decrease potential cardiac complications and assure good treatment response, especially for inhabitants living in areas with difficult accessibility.

[Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015]. / II Consenso Brasileiro em Doença de Chagas, 2015.

Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition that presents high morbidity and mortality burden, with considerable psychological, social, and economic impact. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on collaboration and contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with vast knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. This document shall strengthen the development of integrated control measures against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research.

2 nd Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015.

Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It has considerable psychological, social, and economic impacts. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on the articulation and strategic contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of a close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. It is hoped that this document will strengthen the development of integrated actions against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research .

Emerging acute Chagas disease in Amazonian Brazil: case reports with serious cardiac involvement.

Four cases of serious cardiac attacks by autochthonous Trypanosoma cruzi infection from the Brazilian Amazon are reported; three of them occurred in micro-epidemic episodes. The manifestations included sudden fever, myalgia, dyspnea and signs of heart failure. Diagnosis was confirmed by specific exams, especially QBC (Quantitative Buffy Coat) and natural xenodiagnosis. Despite treatment with benznidazol, three patients died with serious myocarditis, renal failure and cardiac tamponade. The authors call attention to the emergence of this disease and reveal a previously unknown pathogenicity of T. cruzi strains in this area, added to a non-usual transmission form.

Clinical follow-up of responses to treatment with benznidazol in Amazon: a cohort study of acute Chagas disease.

A total of 179 individuals with acute Chagas disease mainly transmitted by oral source, from Pará and Amapá State, Amazonian, Brazil were included during the period from 1988 to 2005. Blood samples were used to survey peripheral blood for T. cruzi hemoparasites by quantitative buffy coat (QBC), indirect xenodiagnosis, blood culture and serology to detection of total IgM and anti-T. cruzi IgG antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and indirect hemagglutination assay (HA). All assays were performed pre-treatment (0 days) and repeated 35 (±7) and 68 (±6) days after the initiation of treatment with benznidazol and every 6 months while remained seropositive. The endpoint of collection was performed in 2005. Total medium period of follow-up per person was 5.6 years. Also, a blood sample was collected from 72 randomly chosen treated patients to perform polimerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Proportions of subjects with negative or positive serology according to the number of years after treatment were compared. In the endpoint of follow-up we found 47 patients (26.7%) serologically negative, therefore considered cured and 5 (2.7%) exhibited mild cardiac Chagas disease. Other 132 patients had persistent positive serologic tests. The PCR carried out in 72 individuals was positive in 9.8%. Added, there was evidence of therapeutic failure immediately following treatment, as demonstrated by xenodiagnosis and blood culture methods in 2.3% and 3.5% of cases, respectively. There was a strong evidence of antibody clearing in the fourth year after treatment and continuous decrease of antibody titers. Authors suggest that control programs should apply operational researches with new drug interventions four years after the acute phase for those treated patients with persistently positive serology.

Consenso Brasileño en Enfermedad de Chagas, 2015 / Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

A doença de Chagas é uma condição crônica negligenciada com elevada carga de morbimortalidade e impacto dos pontos de vista psicológico, social e econômico. Representa um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil, com diferentes cenários regionais. Este documento traduz a sistematização das evidências que compõe o Consenso Brasileiro de Doença de Chagas. O objetivo foi sistematizar estratégias de diagnóstico, tratamento, prevenção e controle da doença de Chagas no país, de modo a refletir as evidências científicas disponíveis. Sua construção fundamentou-se na articulação e contribuição estratégica de especialistas brasileiros com conhecimento, experiência e atualização sobre diferentes aspectos da doença. Representa o resultado da estreita colaboração entre a Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical e o Ministério da Saúde. Espera-se com este documento fortalecer o desenvolvimento de ações integradas para enfrentamento da doença no país com foco em epidemiologia, gestão, atenção integral (incluindo famílias e comunidades), comunicação, informação, educação e pesquisas.

II Consenso Brasileiro em Doença de Chagas, 2015 / Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

A doença de Chagas é uma condição crônica negligenciada com elevada carga de morbimortalidade e impacto dos pontos de vista psicológico, social e econômico. Representa um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil, com diferentes cenários regionais. Este documento traduz a sistematização das evidências que compõe o Consenso Brasileiro de Doença de Chagas. O objetivo foi sistematizar estratégias de diagnóstico, tratamento, prevenção e controle da doença de Chagas no país, de modo a refletir as evidências científicas disponíveis. Sua construção fundamentou-se na articulação e contribuição estratégica de especialistas brasileiros com conhecimento, experiência e atualização sobre diferentes aspectos da doença. Representa o resultado da estreita colaboração entre a Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical e o Ministério da Saúde. Espera-se com este documento fortalecer o desenvolvimento de ações integradas para enfrentamento da doença no país com foco em epidemiologia, gestão, atenção integral (incluindo famílias e comunidades), comunicação, informação, educação e pesquisas.

Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition that presents high morbidity and mortality burden, with considerable psychological, social, and economic impact. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on collaboration and contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with vast knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. This document shall strengthen the development of integrated control measures against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research.

II Consenso Brasileiro em Doença de Chagas, 2015

A doença de Chagas é uma condição crônica negligenciada com elevada carga de morbimortalidade e impacto dos pontos de vista psicológico, social e econômico. Representa um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil, com diferentes cenários regionais. Este documento traduz a sistematização das evidências que compõe o Consenso Brasileiro de Doença de Chagas. O objetivo foi sistematizar estratégias de diagnóstico, tratamento, prevenção e controle da doença de Chagas no país, de modo a refletir as evidências científicas disponíveis. Sua construção fundamentou-se na articulação e contribuição estratégica de especialistas brasileiros com conhecimento, experiência e atualização sobre diferentes aspectos da doença. Representa o resultado da estreita colaboração entre a Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical e o Ministério da Saúde. Espera-se com este documento fortalecer o desenvolvimento de ações integradas para enfrentamento da doença no país com foco em epidemiologia, gestão, atenção integral (incluindo famílias e comunidades), comunicação, informação, educação e pesquisas.

Urban outbreak of acute Chagas disease in Amazon region of Brazil: four-year follow-up after treatment with benznidazole.

The objective of this report is to describe treatment outcomes over a four-year period of patients with acute Chagas disease in the Amazon region of Brazil. An outbreak of Chagas disease in a low-income district of urban Belém, in September 2000, affected 11 people simultaneously, indicating the likelihood of indirect, oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi. Prior to treatment, patients underwent physical and clinical tests; blood samples were processed with immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and quantitative buffy coat (QBC). Following treatment with benznidazole, parasitological and serologic tests (artificial xenodiagnosis and blood culture for T. cruzi), electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram were administered at intervals over a four-year period. Four years after treatment for acute Chagas disease, all patients presented with negative parasitological tests and persistent IgG anti-T. cruzi antibodies with lowered titers; three patients presented electrocardiogram abnormalities consistent with chronic Chagas disease or sequel of acute disease. The satisfactory response to treatment and relevance of serial parasitological examinations of patients with acute Chagas disease are discussed.

Analysis of an acute Chagas disease outbreak in the Brazilian Amazon: human cases, triatomines, reservoir mammals and parasites.

An outbreak of Chagas disease occurred in Mazagão, Amapá, Brazilian Amazon in 1996. Seventeen of 26 inhabitants presented symptoms compatible with acute Chagas disease and were submitted to parasitological and serological tests. All 17 were positive in at least one parasitological test and 11 were also IgM or IgG anti-Trypanosoma cruzi positive. The nine asymptomatic patients were negative for parasites and one was positive for IgG anti-T. cruzi. Sixty-eight triatomines were captured (66 Rhodnius pictipes; two Panstrongylus geniculatus); 45 were infected with T. cruzi (43 R. pictipes; two P. geniculatus). Thirteen trypanosomatid strains were isolated: eight from humans and five from R. pictipes. Four were genotyped as T. cruzi I (two from humans; two from R. pictipes), seven as T. cruzi Z3 (six from humans; one from R. pictipes) and two as T. cruzi Z3 and T. rangeli (from R. pictipes). Treatment started for all patients leading to a decrease in parasitaemia in 16 during the follow-up period (6 months, 1, 5 and 7 years). All were serologically negative 7 years post-treatment. There was an overlap of genotypes in the same ecotope, raising the possibility of transmission through the oral route and the need for early therapeutic intervention for better patient management in the Brazilian Amazon.

Urban outbreak of acute Chagas disease in Amazon region of Brazil: four-year follow-up after treatment with benznidazole / Brote urbano de enfermedad aguda de Chagas en la región amazónica de Brasil: seguimiento de cuatro años después del tratamiento con benznidazol

The objective of this report is to describe treatment outcomes over a four-year period of patients with acute Chagas disease in the Amazon region of Brazil. An outbreak of Chagas disease in a low-income district of urban Belém, in September 2000, affected 11 people simultaneously, indicating the likelihood of indirect, oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi. Prior to treatment, patients underwent physical and clinical tests; blood samples were processed with immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and quantitative buffy coat (QBC). Following treatment with benznidazole, parasitological and serologic tests (artificial xenodiagnosis and blood culture for T. cruzi), electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram were administered at intervals over a four-year period. Four years after treatment for acute Chagas disease, all patients presented with negative parasitological tests and persistent IgG anti-T. cruzi antibodies with lowered titers; three patients presented electrocardiogram abnormalities consistent with chronic Chagas disease or sequel of acute disease. The satisfactory response to treatment and relevance of serial parasitological examinations of patients with acute Chagas disease are discussed.

El objetivo de este informe es describir los resultados del tratamiento para la enfermedad aguda de Chagas durante un seguimiento de cuatro años en pacientes de la región amazónica de Brasil. Un brote de la enfermedad de Chagas en un distrito de bajos ingresos de la parte urbana de Belém afectó simultáneamente a 11 personas en septiembre de 2000; al parecer, la transmisión de Trypanosoma cruzi fue indirecta por vía oral. Antes del tratamiento, los pacientes se sometieron a un examen físico y pruebas clínicas; las muestras de sangre se estudiaron mediante inmunofluorescencia - indirecta y análisis cuantitativo de la capa leucocitaria (buffy coat). Después del - tratamiento con benznidazol se realizaron pruebas parasitológicas y serológicas (xenodiagnóstico artificial y hemocultivo de T. cruzi), electrocardiogramas y ecocardiogramas periódicos durante cuatro años. Cuatro años después del tratamiento por enfermedad aguda de Chagas, todos los pacientes eran negativos en los análisis parasitológicos y disminuyeron los títulos de anticuerpos IgM anti-T. cruzi persistentes; tres pacientes presentaron alteraciones electrocardiográficas indicadoras de enfermedad crónica de Chagas o de secuelas de la enfermedad aguda. Se discute la respuesta satisfactoria al tratamiento y la importancia de los análisis parasitológicos seriados de los pacientes con enfermedad aguda de Chagas.

Doença de Chagas aguda grave autóctone da Amazônia Brasileira / Serious acute Chagas Disease authoctonous from Brazilian Amazon

Objetivo: analisar o quadro clinico-laboratorial de casos de Doença de Chagas aguda autóctone da Amazônia brasileira avaliados sob regime hospitalar, enfatizando a síndrome febril e sinais potenciais de comprometimento cardíaco futuro. Método: estudo transversal de casos de Doença de Chagas aguda, internados no Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, de janeiro de 1990 a outubro de 2003. Resultados: em 20 casos estudados encontramos febre em 95% deles, sendo metade do tipo recorrente, dispnéia (75%), astenia (65%), edema de membros inferiores (65%) e cefaléia (60%). As principais alterações eletrocardiográficas foram: taquicardia sinusal, alterações difusas da repolarização ventricular e complexo QRS de baixa voltagem. Observou-se derrame pericárdico em 35% dos ecocardiogramas realizados. Conclusõe. a elevada freqüência da síndrome febril na doença de Chagas aguda expressa a importância do correto diagnóstico diferencial com as demais endemiasfebris da Amazônia. As alterações eletrocardiográficas e ecocardiográficas encontradas podem sugerir forma clínica de transição para cronicidade, além de indicar gravidade.

Objective: To analyze clinical and laboratorial findings of authoctononus acute Chagas disease from Brazilian Amazon, evaluated under hospital regimen, emphasizing feverish syndrome observations and potential signs of future cardiac commitment. Method: Transversal study of acute Chagas disease in patients from University Hospital João de Barros Barreto, within jan 1990 to at 2003. Results: In a total of 20 studied cases we found predominant symptoms: fever (95%), dyspnea (75%), asthenia (65%), edema of lower members (65%) and headache (60%). Main abnonnalities found in electrocardiograms were: sinusal tachycardia, diffuse ventricular repolarization abnormalities and low voltage of QRS. We demonstrated 35% with pericardial effusion show in echocardiograms. Conclusions: Raised frequency of feverish syndrome in acute Chagas disease shows the importance of the correct distinguishing diagnosis with others febrile endemic diseases occurred in Amazon. The electrocardiographics and echocardiographics abnormalíties found could suggest clínical form of transition for chronicity, besides expressing gravity.

Consenso Brasileiro em Doença de Chagas, 2005 / Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2005

Durante longo tempo a Doença de Chagas não teve, nos Programas de Saúde Pública, a prioridade que, por sua prevalência e morbidade, lhe deveria ter sido dada. De início, por dificuldades diagnósticas sua existência foi posta em dúvida. Depois, por sua pouca visibilidade, pela circunstância de acometer, geralmente, parcela mais desprotegida da população, cujas necessidades não são entendidas ou ouvidas pelos que detêm as condições para resolvê-las. Por fim, as indecisões quanto ao rumo das ações a serem empreendidas, resumidas no dilema BNH ou BHC, para indicar as preferências por construir moradias (Banco Nacional de Habitação) ou usar inseticidas, como se a prioridade por uma devesse excluir a outra. Desde a década de 1970 as diretrizes foram direcionadas no sentido de interromper, o mais rapidamente possível, a transmissão vetorial, pelo emprego de inseticidas. As moradias seriam construídas dentro do possível, como acabou acontecendo em certas regiões. Concomitantemente, mais pelo receio da imunodeficiência humana adquirida e da hepatite pelo vírus B, adoção de medidas preventivas permitiu controlar, também, a transmissão por meio das transfusões de sangue e derivados. Assim sendo, foram estancados os dois mananciais mais importantes que, anualmente, alimentavam com cerca de 100.000 novos casos a população de chagásicos do país. Logrado o êxito inicial representado pela eliminação dos triatomíneos de hábitos essencialmente domésticos, em especial o T. infestans, os esforços se concentram no sentido de manter os resultados obtidos, consolidar o controle de focos residuais, impedir o estabelecimento de novos focos de transmissão vetorial, principalmente por espécies até então consideradas como de importância secundária, como Panstrongylus lutzi, Panstrongylus geniculata, Triatoma rubrovária, Triatoma brasiliense ou Triatoma sordida. Estamos observando que a Doença de Chagas na Amazônia constitui nova realidade, cujo potencial como problema de Saúde Pública na região ainda está sendo compreendido e necessita ser devidamente explorado. Embora a transmissão congênita do Tripanosoma cruzi no Brasil não tenha mostrado a freqüência assinalada em outros países, esta via de transmissão necessita ser mais bem estudada entre nós em função da existência de situações especiais, como ocorre no Rio Grande do Sul. Os pacientes infectados remanescentes não podem ser desconsiderados. Embora este problema tenda a ser minimizado a longo prazo, se novos pacientes não mais forem infectados, no momento ele é prioritário. Tais pacientes representam grande sobrecarga para os serviços de atenção médica, necessitando frequentemente de cuidados especiais nos diversos níveis de atendimento. Todas as questões acima mencionadas foram devidamente consideradas em recente reunião de conhecedores do assunto, sob o patrocínio do Ministério da Saúde. Dela resultou o consenso que está sendo publicado e que constitui iniciativa de grande interesse. É muito oportuno pelo seu sentido amplo, compreendendo todas as situações relacionadas aos vários aspectos da Doença de Chagas. O documento servirá de orientação para os profissionais de saúde envolvidos na tarefa de lutar contra a Doença de Chagas, evitando sua propagação e amenizando suas conseqüências. Ainda não havíamos obtido um documento englobando os diferentes aspectos relacionados à Doença de Chagas e que, ademais, servisse de fonte de inspiração para os pesquisadores que se dedicam a resolver problemas e ampliar conhecimentos.

Emerging acute Chagas Disease in Amazonian Brazil: case reports with serious cardiac involvement

Four cases of serious cardiac attacks by autochthonous Trypanosoma cruzi infection from the Brazilian Amazon are reported; three of them occurred in micro-epidemic episodes. The manifestations included sudden fever, myalgia, dyspnea and signs of heart failure. Diagnosis was confirmed by specific exams, especially QBC (Quantitative Buffy Coat) and natural xenodiagnosis. Despite treatment with benznidazol, three patients died with serious myocarditis, renal failure and cardiac tamponade. The authors call attention to the emergence of this disease and reveal a previously unknown pathogenicity of T. cruzi strains in this area, added to a non-usual transmission form.

Acometimento cardíaco em pacientes com doença de Chagas aguda em microepidemia familiar, em Abaetetuba, na Amazônia Brasileira / Cardiac Attachs in patients with acute Chagas'diseases im microepidemic familiar episode, in Abaetetuba City, Brazilian Amazon

Os autores mostram os principais achados clínicos relativos ao acometimento cardíaco, em pacientes portadores de doenca de Chagas aguda em mais um episódio de microepidemia familiar na Amazonia brasileira. Foram estudados 13 pacientes com doença de Chagas aguda, procedentes do município de Abaetetuba-PA e submetidos à avaliação clínica e cardiológica, eletrocardiograma e ecocardiograma. As extra-sístoles supraventriculares e ou ventriculares ocorreram em 38,5 por cento dos casos. Bloqueios de ramo direito e bloqueios atrio-ventriculares de 1§ e 2§ graus, foram encontrados em 30,8 por cento dos doentes. Chamam atenção dois achados no ecodopplercardiograma: derrame pericárdico e imagem sugestiva de formação aneurismática em dois pacientes respectivamente. Os achados revelam comprometimento cardíaco agudo, com evidências de miocardiopatia e alteracões no sistema de condução do coração, havendo similaridade com a descrição da doença em áreas endêmicas