Clinical and serological evolution in chronic Chagas disease patients in a 4-year pharmacotherapy follow-up: a preliminary study

Abstract

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 46(6):776-778, Nov-Dec, 2013http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-1646-2013 Short CommunicationClinical and serological evolution in chronic Chagas disease patients in a 4-year pharmacotherapy follow-up: a preliminary study ABSTRACT Introduction:The role of trypanocidal therapy in the chronic phase of Chagas disease remains controversial. Methods: A total of 13 patients with chronic Chagas disease were treated with benznidazole (5mg/kg/day/60 days) and surveyed via antibody measurement and conventional electrocardiogram over the course of 4 years. Results: The antibody titers were signifi cantly reduced after 4 years (p<0.05). Most of the patients showed maintenance of the initial clinical picture (electrocardiographic), with the exception of 4 cases. Conclusions: Although trypanocidal therapy in the chronic phase of Chagas disease was of limited effectiveness, we believe that it is benefi cial in treating these patients.

Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone treatment in indeterminate form of chronic Chagas disease: Reduced intensity of tissue parasitism and inflammation—A histopathological study

“…Despite this, only two drugs remain available for treatment during the acute phase of Chagas disease: nifurtimox and benznidazole (BZN) . For both adults and children, these drugs have demonstrated limited action in the indeterminate form …”

“…2,3 For both adults and children, these drugs have demonstrated limited action in the indeterminate form. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Chung et al 13 obtained the hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH), as a synthetic intermediate aiming to obtain nitrofurazone (NF)-primaquine prodrugs. The NFOH exhibited trypanocidal activity against trypomastigotes and amastigote forms of T. cruzi using infected LLC-MK 2 cells.…”

Authors' reply: Vitamins in the treatment of chronic Chagas disease: adjuvant antiparasitary or antioxidant therapy?

“…We would like to acknowledge the comments regarding our article Clinical and serological evolution in chronic Chagas disease patients in a 4-year pharmacotherapy follow-up: a preliminary study 1 , which are contained in the letter The role of benznidazole with cyanocobalamin and ascorbic acid in treating the chronic phase of Chagas disease 2 .…”

“…Although pharmacotherapy with benznidazole is associated with adverse reactions and limited effectiveness in the chronic phase of Chagas disease 1,3 , it has been used in the indeterminate phase of Chagas disease to reduce parasitemia, prevent visceral lesions and transmission. As well, observational studies have shown that benznidazole may even benefi t patients in the cardiac chronic stage of the disease 4 .…”

The role of benznidazole with cyanocobalamin and ascorbic acid in treating the chronic phase of Chagas disease

“…In contrast, ascorbic acid and cyanocobalamin are over-thecounter drugs that rarely present side effects. Andrade et al 1 are to be congratulated for conducting such a comprehensive study regarding the signifi cant role of Bnz in treating the chronic phrase of Chagas' disease. To their discussion, we also note the effi cacy of Bnz combined with cyanocobalamin and ascorbic acid, which is evident in the results discussed below.…”