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Introduction:The co-infection Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV has been described as a clinical event of great relevance. The objective of this study was to describe clinical and epidemiological aspects published in literature. Methods: It is a systematic review of a descriptive nature from the databases Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Scopus, from 1980 to 2010. Results: There were 83 articles (2.8 articles/year) with a total of 291 cases. The co-infection was described in 1980 and this situation has become the defining AIDS clinical event in Brazil. This is the country with the highest number of publication (51.8%) followed by Argentina (27.7%). The majority of cases are amongst adult men (65.3%) native or from endemic regions with serological diagnosis in the chronic stage (97.9%) and indeterminate form (50.8%). Both diseases follow the normal course, but in 41% the reactivation of the Chagas disease occurs. The most severe form is the meningoencephalitis, with 100% of mortality without specific and early treatment of the T. cruzi. The medication of choice was the benznidazole on doses and duration normally used for the acute phase. The high parasitemia detected by direct or indirect quantitative methods indicated reactivation and its elevation is the most important predictive factor. The lower survival rate was related to the reactivation of the Chagas disease and the natural complications of both diseases. The role of the antiretroviral treatment on the co-infection cannot yet be defined by the knowledge currently existent. Conclusions: Despite the relevance of this clinical event there are still gaps to be filled.

Chagas disease was an important medical and social problem in almost all of Latin America throughout the twentieth century. It has been combated over a broad swath of this continent over recent decades, with very satisfactory results in terms of vector and transfusional transmission. Today, a surveillance stage still remains to be consolidated, in parallel with appropriate care required for some millions of infected individuals who are today living in endemic and non-endemic areas. Contradictorily, the good results attained have generated excessive optimism and even disregard among health authorities, in relation to this disease and its control. The loss of visibility and priority may be a logical consequence, particularly in Latin American healthcare systems that are still disorganized and overburdened due to insufficiencies of financial and human resources. Consolidation of the victories against Chagas disease is attainable but depends on political will and continual attention from the most consequential protagonists in this struggle, especially the Latin American scientific community. Key-words:Chagas disease. Control. Perspectives. RESUMOConstituindo um importante problema medico e social de quase toda a América Latina por todo o século XX, a doença de Chagas tem sido combatida em ampla extensão do Continente nas últimas décadas, logrando-se resultados muito satisfatórios em termos de sua transmissão vetorial e transfusional. Atualmente há ainda uma etapa de vigilância a ser consolidada, em paralelo com a atenção adequada e necessária para alguns milhões de infectados que hoje vivem em áreas endêmicas e não endêmicas. Contraditoriamente, os logros alcançados têm gerado excesso de otimismo e mesmo descaso para com a doença e seu controle entre autoridades sanitárias. A perda de visibilidade e prioridade pode ser uma conseqüência lógica, principalmente nos sistemas de saúde latino americanos, ainda desarticulados e assoberbados por poucos recursos financeiros e humanos. A consolidação das vitórias contra a doença de Chagas é viável, mas passará por vontade política e permanente atenção por parte dos mais conseqüentes protagonistas desta luta, especialmente os cientistas latino americanos.Palavras-chaves: Doença de Chagas. Controle. Perspectivas.

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The HIV group presented in baseline conditions, a shift of cardiac sympathovagal balance, an exacerbated response of the LF component during the tilt test, and an ineffective cardiac vagal response to the cold-face test suggesting sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. AIDS patients receiving HAART did not present these autonomic alterations.