title: Possible role of an adrenal parasite reservoir in the pathogenesis of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi myocarditis.
abstract: The possible contribution of parasitism of the central vein of the adrenal gland (CVAG) to chronic Trypanosoma cruzi myocarditis was assayed by comparing the occurrence of nests of amastigotes in the left ventricular myocardium (LVM) and determining the number and extent of areas of focal leucocyte exudate (FLE) in Chagas disease patients with and without CVAG parasitism. The frequency of occurrence of T. cruzi nests in the LVM, as well as the FLE number and area, were greater among patients with CVAG parasitism. We therefore suggest that CVAG parasitism plays a role in the onset and intensity of chronic T. cruzi myocarditis.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Patologia Geral, Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba-MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: V de P
authors.initials: Vde P
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: dos Reis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: dos Reis
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Franquini Júnior
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000098:blood supply / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D002598:Chagas Cardiomyopathy / Q000209:etiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014680:Veins / Q000469:parasitology