Recognizing and meeting the challenge of Chagas disease in the USA.
It is estimated that over 300,000 people with Chagas disease are living in the USA, with more than 30,000 cases of Chagas cardiomyopathy expected per year. The epidemiology of Chagas disease in Central and South America differs from that of the USA, where particular attention must focus on blood bank screening, organ donation and vertical transmission. It is essential that healthcare practitioners have heightened awareness of Chagas disease in the differential diagnosis of certain patients and are aware of recommendations for the management of these patients in the USA. Ongoing attention must focus on trials that determine whether all patients will benefit from treatment as well as studies of new agents for therapy.
Bowling
Jason
J
Infectious Diseases Fellow University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Mail Code 7881, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. bowling@uthscsa.edu
Walter
Elizabeth A
EA
D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009547:Nifurtimox / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects; D014481:United States
D009593:Nitroimidazoles; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D009547:Nifurtimox; C009999:benzonidazole