Medical Definition of Chagas disease
1.
A parasitic disease caused by the American strain, Trypanosoma cruzi.
Chagas disease is usually transmitted by the bite of the kissing bug, but may also follow breast feeding (to infants) and blood transfusion. Although much more common in South America, it does, on rare occasions, occur in the U.S.A.
A nodular swelling (chagoma) appears at the site of inoculation following a bite. The acute phase of the disease can last 2 to 3 months and patients present with fever, headache, anorexia, conjunctivitis and myocarditis.
Infants can develop meningitis and heart involvement. Trypanosomiasis can cause congestive heart failure and ventricular aneurysms. Treatment is with nifurtimox.
(21 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Chagas Disease
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