[Antibodies against T. cruzi in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas].
Chagas disease is caused by the flagellate protozoan T: cruzi. Seroepidemiological surveys in Chiapas, Mexico have shown seropositive individuals, therefore, we searched for people affected by the chronic form of Chagas disease which involves the heart, causing a chronic, progressive and fatal disease called Chronic Chagasic Cardiopathy (CCC).


METHODS
To establish the frequency of CCC we studied 28 patients seen at the Hospital General Regional "Dr. Rafael Pascacio Gamboa" during October 2002 through October 2003 in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, the State capital city, with diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DC), a serological survey for antibodies against T. cruzi was done. This hospital cares for people from all parts of Chiapas, Mexico. Clinical diagnosis of DC was established there and blind serological studies were performed in Mexico City.


RESULTS
Fifteen out of 28 DC patients (54%) had anti T. cruzi antibodies. All of them came from poor rural villages and they had heart failure and/or arrhythmia or heart blockade on EKG.


CONCLUSIONS
This observation suggest that in Chiapas were Chagas disease is endemic, there are CCC patients. Any case with a clinical diagnosis of DC should be tested for antibodies against T. cruzi. The low socioeconomic status, culture and environment in this Mexican State favour the presence and transmission of this parasitic disease.
Guillén-Ortega
Fernando
F
Pasante en Servicio Social, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "lgnacio Chávez", México, DF. fernando_guillen@medscape.com
Pérez-Vargas
Adrián
A
Estrada-Suárez
Alfredo
A
Moleres-Villegas
Juan
J
Ricárdez-Esquinca
Jorge
J
Monteón Padilla
Víctor
V
Reyes
Pedro A
PA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan