Exploring the latency period in Chagas disease: duration and determinants in a cohort from Colombia

Abstract

Background Chagas disease has a varying latency period, the time between infection and onset of cardiac symptoms, due to multiple factors. This study seeks to identify and understand these factors to enhance our knowledge of the disease. Methods A retrospective follow-up study was conducted in Colombia on patients with indeterminate chronic Chagas disease. Medical files were examined to evaluate the disease latency time using time ratios (TRs) and the AFT Weibull model. Results The study followed 578 patients, of whom 309 (53.5%) developed cardiac disease, with a median latency period of 18.5 (95% CI 16 to 20) y for the cohort. Those with the TcISyl genotype (TR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.80), individuals who lived 5–15 y (TR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.95), 15–30 y (TR 0.63; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.74) or >30 y (vs 5 y) in areas with high disease prevalence had shorter latency periods. On the other hand, undergoing treatment increased the latency period (TR: 1.74; 95% CI 1.52 to 1.87). Conclusions The latency period of Chagas disease was found to be independently related to male gender, receipt of etiological treatment, length of time spent in an endemic area and the TcISyl genotype. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Addressing Chagas disease from a One Health perspective: risk factors, lessons learned and prevention of oral transmission outbreaks in Colombia

“…Vegetation availability and precipitation also influence vector proliferation [ 30 ]. Conducting epidemiological studies that consider environmental characteristics is essential for designing effective control strategies [ 32 ].…”

Primer caso agudo de enfermedad de Chagas en el municipio de Miraflores, Guaviare, Colombia

“…En la fase aguda, la mayoría de los pacientes son asintomáticos o experimentan síntomas febriles inespecíficos (4) . La fase crónica se divide en dos formas: indeterminada (latente) y determinada (clínica), que incluyen manifestaciones cardíacas, digestivas y cardiodigestivas (5) .…”