Chagas disease

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is a protozoan parasite. The disease was discovered by the Brazilian physician, Carlos Chagas in 1909 and is also known as American trypanosomiasis. It is prevalent in Southern America. It is transmitted to animals and humans through feces of an infected Triatomine bug (also called "kissing" bug). This infection can also be transmitted through i) contaminated blood or blood products, ii) mother to baby, or iii) an organ transplant from an infected donor.

This child from Panama is suffering from Chagas disease manifested as an acute infection with swelling of the right eye. Photo courtsey by CDC and Hardin MD, University of Iowa (http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hARDIN/MD/cdc/chagas6.html)

External Links

• Chagas disease at the Centers for Disease Control
• Chagas Disease, from Discovery to Control - and Beyond: History, Myths and Lessons to Take Home