Chagas' Disease and Blood Transfusion: A New World Problem?

Abstract

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) can be transmitted by blood transfusion. For almost 40 years, this transmission has been limited to Latin America, but recently, three cases have been reported in the USA and Canada. With increasing emigration to North America and Europe, Chagas' disease may be introduced to the Northern hemisphere by transfusion of blood from carriers. This review will focus on the discovery, biology and antigenic profile of Trypanosoma cruzi (the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease), including the invertebrate vectors, animal reservoirs and transmission to humans, with special reference to blood transfusion. Finally, diagnostic tests and prophylactic measures for the prevention of Chagas' disease will be discussed.

Megacolon in Chagas disease: a study of inflammatory cells, enteric nerves, and glial cells

“…Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an endemic cause of morbidity and mortality in areas of Central and South America [1]. There are many immigrants to the United States and other 0046-8177/$ -see front matter D 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.…”

Prevalence of Antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi among Solid Organ Donors in Southern California: A Population at Risk

“…Parasitemia follows a bite by an infected kissing (reduviid) bug. In the acute phase fever is the most common clinical manifestation of the disease, although approximately 20% of those infected are completely asymptomatic (3). Rarely, patients succumb to the acute phase of infection secondary to severe heart failure or encephalomyelitis (usually children and immunocompromised patients) (1)(2)(3).…”

Zoonoses in Solid-Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

“…Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, has been transmitted during SOT [124,125], as well as during blood transfusions [158][159][160], and infection can also reactivate after transplantation [161]. Although most commonly associated with heart transplantation, other organs (including liver, kidney, and pancreas) may transmit T. cruzi as well [124,125].…”