title: Short report: benznidazole efficacy among Trypanosoma cruzi-infected adolescents after a six-year follow-up.
abstract: Data from a six-year follow-up of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected adolescents enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial of benznidazole showed successful chemotherapy in 64.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 50.2-78.7) and 84.7% (95% CI = 66.8-92.9), respectively, by intention-to treat and by per protocol analysis measured by seronegativity in a chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a purified trypomastigote mucin antigen. No incident case of cardiomyopathy was detected by electrocardiogram assessment in this cohort of adolescents who had been infected in childhood. The persistent and consistently long-term negative serologic reactions suggest the absence of the parasite in the treated patients and reinforces the recommendation of early benznidazole chemotherapy for T. cruzi-infected infants as a public health policy in endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Department of Community Health, Federal University of Goias, Rua Delenda R Melo, S/N, Goiânia 74605-050, Brazil. ana@iptsp.ufg.br
authors.forename: Ana Lucia S S
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Celina M T
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Renato M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Simonne A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Andréa I S
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Aires
authors.forename: Lea M T
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Soussumi
authors.forename: Dimas T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Covas
authors.forename: Luiz S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: João G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Luiz R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Travassos
authors.forename: Igor C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; C009999:benzonidazole