Tropical diseases of the myocardium: a review

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are widely distributed throughout the world. Human parasitic infections are ubiquitous. Tropical parasites are increasingly recognized as causes of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we address the most frequently reported parasites that directly infect the myocardium, including Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoal causative agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), and Taenia solium, the cestode causative agent of taeniasis and cysticercosis. We also discuss tropical endomyocardial fibrosis, trichinellosis and schistosomiasis. Health systems, attitudes, the perceptions of both patients and physicians as well as socioeconomic factors should all be explored and recognized as crucial factors for improving the control of cardiovascular diseases in the tropics. Clinicians throughout the world must remain aware of imported parasites as potential causes of cardiac diseases.

Electrocardiography Abnormalities in Macaques after Infection with Encephalitic Alphaviruses

“…Moreover, other known examples of cardiac pathology visualized by ECG include QT-interval prolongation as a sign of autonomic neuropathy in HIV-infected individuals, though the question of whether the finding represents a consequence of prolonged infection or prolonged courses of treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy remains to be seen [40,41]. The rationale for investigating cardiac pathology of neurogenic origin stems from the wide variety of infectious agents including diseases of bacterial, viral, and parasitic origin in which pathogenesis, or the host response to disease pathogenesis, can induce a neurogenic basis for cardiac changes [42,43]. In the context of neuroinvasive, encephalitic EEVs, EEEV, and WEEV infect both neurons and cardiac myocytes in avian species and murine models respectively, while focal cardiac lesions have been previously documented in macaques infected with VEEV [44][45][46].…”

Epidemiological overview of chagas disease in the state of Amazonas, from 2004 to 2014

“…3,4 In Latin America, chronic CD affects from 7 to 8 million people. 5 In Brazil, between 1999 and 2007, 53,930 deaths were reported, of an estimated setting where more than 1.9 million Brazilians suffered from Chagas disease. 6 From 2005 to 2010, 756 cases of acute Chagas disease were reported in the country.…”

Fish Oil and Inflammation: A Perspective on the Challenges of Evaluating Efficacy inTrypanosoma cruziInfection

“…Infection with T. cruzi causes a strong inflammatory reaction at the inoculation site and, later, in the myocardium [34]. Approximately one-third to one-half of patients with indeterminate disease will eventually develop chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC).…”

“…Approximately one-third to one-half of patients with indeterminate disease will eventually develop chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). CCC results from the combined effects of persistent parasitism, parasite-driven tissue inflammation, micro-vascular and neurogenic dysfunction, and autoimmune responses triggered by the T. cruzi-infection [34,35].…”