Chagas Disease/epidemiology

ABC

Original Article

Prevalence of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection in Blood Donors

Alanna Carla da Costa et al. Eduardo Arrais Rocha José Damião da Silva Filho Arduina Sofia Ortet de Barros Vasconcelos Fidalgo … Francisca Mylena Melgaço Nunes Carlos Eduardo Menezes Viana Vânia Barreto Aguiar F. Gomes Maria de Fátima Oliveira

Abstract

Background

Chagas disease (CD) is considered a public health problem in Latin America. The northeastern region, especially the state of Ceará, still represents a major concern in terms of the risk of transmission of CD.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of T. cruzi in blood donors from the state of Ceará.

Methods

This is a retrospective descriptive study that was performed in the period from 2010 to 2015 from data recorded in the computerized system of the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of Ceará (HEMOCE in Portuguese).

Results

Of the 763,731 potential blood donors, 14,159 were serologically ineligible; 1,982 (0.33%) were serologically ineligible due to positive / inconclusive diagnosis for CD. A total of 425 individuals came to the HEMOCE to repeat the test, with 28.2% (120/425) declared ineligible for donations due to CD.

Conclusion

No significant reduction of positive / inconclusive serology was observed in the period between 2010 and 2015, but a reduction was observed when compared to 1996/1997 in the state. The determination of the prevalence of CD in blood banks may be relevant as an indicator of the risk of CD transmission through blood transfusions in a given region. New serological tests for triage with better accuracy in screening are needed, in an attempt to reduce the unnecessary disposal of blood bags, reduce costs for the Brazilian Unified Health System, and diminish insecurity for the patient and family members. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1082-1091)

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ABC

Editorial

Heart Failure Awareness Day: A Tribute to the Genius Carlos Chagas

Evandro Tinoco Mesquita et al. Aurea Lucia Alves de Azevedo Grippa de Souza Salvador Rassi

The purpose of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) is to expand and disseminate knowledge on Cardiovascular Science and to make each cardiologist aware of the activities intended to promote cardiovascular health in Brazilian society. Since its foundation, SBC has been stimulating research and dissemination, among civil society, of epidemiological and preventive matters related to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF). HF has been identified as a cardiovascular epidemic throughout the world and involves important aspects on morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs, being little recognized among individuals, members of our society, healthcare managers and policy makers. The increasing prevalence of HF is due to population aging and the growth of risk factors, such as obesity, systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as increased survival of patients with heart diseases, such as congenital heart disease and ischemic heart disease. Worldwide, about 26 million adults have HF and forecasts indicate that the prevalence tends to increase by 25% by 2030.

Within the scenario, it should be underscored that HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) needs greater recognition and prevention strategies by general practitioners, geriatricians and cardiologists. The syndrome presents asymptomatic stages and a symptomatic form, and preventive and therapeutic measures are able to reduce the progression of the disease and morbimortality. Outbreaks of acute HF and decompensation promote recurrence in emergency rooms and hospital admissions that promote worsening of the condition, where the outcome can be abrupt due to pump failure or sudden death. In this decade, initiatives in different countries, led by cardiology associations and societies, have promoted activities to warn the population and health professionals regarding early detection, complementary tests and access to medications and treatment based on scientific evidence.

[…]

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IJCS

Case Report

Complete Resolution of Electrocardiographic Changes Induced by Acute Chagas Myocarditis

Joseane Elza Tonussi Mendes Rossette do Valle et al. Luiz Carlos de Abreu Raimundo Barbosa Barros Rodrigo Daminello Raimundo … Andrés Ricardo Pérez Riera Isabel Sorpreso

Abstract

We present a case of a female adolescent with severe acute Chagas myocarditis, acquired by oral transmission in an endemic area in the Brazilian western Amazon, who had electrocardiographic changes normalized after empirical treatment with the antiparasitic drug benznidazole combined with conventional treatment for severe heart failure.

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ABC

Editorial

An Approach to The Acute Phase of Chagas' Disease: The Continuing Challenge it Presents in the 21(st) Century

Dário C. Sobral Filho

Chagas disease, in addition to being widespread on the American continent with around six million persons infected, is currently present in various regions of the world as a result of the migration of individuals with the disease.^,

The statistics show that the incidence of acute cases has fallen from 700,000 new cases in 1990 to the current estimate of 29,000 – 30,000 per year by vector-borne transmission, plus 8,000 other cases by other modes such as transfusion and the digestive tract, owing to ingestion of food contaminated by Trypanosoma cruzi, as described by Ortiz et al. in their publication in this journal, in which they report 63 cases of cases of the acute form of Chagas disease in the state of Amazonas over a period of eight years, with oral transmission in 75% of the patients.

[…]

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ABC

Original Article

Cardiac Evaluation in the Acute Phase of Chagas’ Disease with Post-Treatment Evolution in Patients Attended in the State of Amazonas, Brazil

Jessica Vanina Ortiz et al. Bruna Valessa Moutinho Pereira Katia do Nascimento Couceiro Monica Regina Hosannah da Silva e Silva … Susan Smith Doria Paula Rita Leite da Silva Edson da Fonseca de Lira Maria das Graças Vale Barbosa Guerra Jorge Augusto de Oliveira Guerra João Marcos Bemfica Barbosa Ferreira

Abstract

Background:

In the past two decades, a new epidemiological profile of Chagas’ disease (CD) has been registered in the Brazilian Amazon where oral transmission has been indicated as responsible for the increase of acute cases. In the Amazonas state, five outbreaks of acute CD have been registered since 2004. The cardiac manifestations in these cases may be characterized by diffuse myocarditis, with alteration in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).

Objective:

To perform a cardiac evaluation in autochthonous patients in the acute phase and at least one year after submitted to treatment for acute CD and evaluate the demographic variables associated with the presence of cardiac alterations.

Methods:

We evaluated patients diagnosed with acute CD through direct parasitological or serological (IgM) methods from 2007 to 2015. These patients were treated with benznidazole and underwent ECG and TTE before and after treatment. We assumed a confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%, p < 0.05) for all variables analyzed.

Results:

We observed 63 cases of an acute CD in which oral transmission corresponded to 75%. Cardiac alterations were found in 33% of the cases, with a greater frequency of ventricular repolarization alteration (13%), followed by pericardial effusion (10%) and right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block (2%). The follow-up occurred in 48 patients with ECG and 25 with TTE for a mean period of 15.5 ± 4.1 months after treatment. Of these, 8% presented normalization of the cardiac alterations in ECG, 62.5% remained with the normal exams. All of the patients presented normal results in TTE in the post-treatment period. As for the demographic variables, isolated cases presented more cardiac alterations than outbreaks (p = 0.044) as well as cases from Central Amazonas mesoregion (p = 0.020).

Conclusions:

Although cardiac alterations have not been frequent in most of the studied population, a continuous evaluation of the clinical-epidemiological dynamics of the disease in the region is necessary in order to establish preventive measures.

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Prevalence of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection in Blood Donors

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Heart Failure Awareness Day: A Tribute to the Genius Carlos Chagas

Complete Resolution of Electrocardiographic Changes Induced by Acute Chagas Myocarditis

Abstract

An Approach to The Acute Phase of Chagas' Disease: The Continuing Challenge it Presents in the 21(st) Century

Cardiac Evaluation in the Acute Phase of Chagas’ Disease with Post-Treatment Evolution in Patients Attended in the State of Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

Background:

Objective:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusions:

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