title: [Esophageal motor disorders in asymptomatic subjects with Trypanosoma cruzi infection].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The indeterminate chronic or "asymptomatic" phase of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas' disease) infection is characterized by the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, and has an estimated duration of 20 to 30 years. However, the intramural denervation that induces dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is progressive. Recently, epidemiological studies have shown that the seroprevalence for this infection in our area ranges between 2% and 3% of the population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To detect the presence of esophageal motor disorders in asymptomatic individuals chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi using standard esophageal manometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study in 28 asymptomatic subjects (27 men, age 40.39 ± 10.79) with serological evidence of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi was performed. In all cases demographic characteristics, gastrointestinal symptoms and esophageal motility disorders using conventional manometry were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study 54% (n = 15) of asymptomatic subjects had an esophageal motor disorder: 5 (18%) had nutcracker esophagus, 5 (18%) nonspecific esophageal motor disorders, 3 (11%) hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES), 1 (4%) an incomplete relaxation of the LES and 1 (4%) had chagasic achalasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More than half of patients that course with Chagas' disease in the indeterminate phase and that are apparently asymptomatic have impaired esophageal motility. Presence of hypertensive LES raises the possibility that this alteration represents an early stage in the development of chagasic achalasia.
authors: Facultad de Medicina Miguel Alemán Valdés, Veracruz, México.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Torres-Aguilera
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Remes-Troche
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Roesch-Dietlen
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: Vázquez-Jiménez
authors: E
authors: E
authors: De la Cruz-Patiño
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Grube-Pagola
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Ruiz-Juárez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult