Chagas' disease in the Brazilian Amazon: I - a short review

Coura, José Rodrigues; Junqueira, Ângela Cristina Veríssimo; Giordano, Claudio; Funatsu, Ilra R.

doi:10.1590/s0036-46651994000400009

Cited by 33 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Over the last 20 years (1991-2011), we have developed seroepidemiological surveys and clinical, radiological and electrocardiographic studies among populations that were seropositive for Chagas infection, in the middle and upper regions of the Negro River, in the State of Amazonas [72][73][74][76][77][78] . Several typical and fatal chronic cases of Chagas disease were described 94,95 , involving more than 7,000 screening serological reactions and more than 300 confirmatory serological reactions.…”

Section: Morbidity Of Chagas Disease In the Amazon Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chagas disease: What is known and what should be improved: a systemic review

Coura

Borges-Pereira

2012

Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop.

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116

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This study consists of a broad review on what is known and what should be improved regarding knowledge of Chagas disease, not only through analysis on the main studies published on the topics discussed, but to a large extent based on experience of this subject, acquired over the past 50 years (1961-2011). Among the subjects covered, we highlight the pathogenesis and evolution of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, drugs in use and new strategies for treating Chagas disease; the serological tests for the diagnosis and the controls of cure the infection; the regional variations in prevalence, morbidity and response to treatment of the disease; the importance of metacyclogenesis of T. cruzi in different species of triatomines and its capacity to transmit Chagas infection; the risks of adaptation of wild triatomines to human dwellings; the morbidity and need for a surveillance and control program for Chagas disease in the Amazon region and the need to prioritize initiatives for controlling Chagas disease in Latin America and Mexico and in non-endemic countries, which is today a major international dilemma. Finally, we raise the need for to create a new initiative for controlling Chagas disease in the Gran Chaco, which involves parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay.

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Section: Morbidity Of Chagas Disease In the Amazon Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chagas disease: What is known and what should be improved: a systemic review

Coura

Borges-Pereira

2012

Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop.

Self Cite

116

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“…The occurrence of Trypanosoma cruzi-like infections in several mammals has showed the presence of circulating parasite in the Amazonian ecosystem, while the human infection was rare (SHAW et al, 1969). However, lately Chagas disease has been observed in Amazonian localities of Pará, Amapá, Acre, Rondônia and Maranhão States (COURA et al, 1994b, COURA et al, 1995b, FRAIHA NETO et al, 1995, VALENTE et al, 1998, VALENTE et al, 1999. Autochthonous Chagas disease cases have not been reported in the State of Roraima.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the possibility of autochthonous Chagas disease in Roraima, Amazon region, Brazil, 2000-2001

Luitgards-Moura

Borges-Pereira

Costa

et al. 2005

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

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SUMMARYChagas disease has been almost entirely eradicated from the arid zones in Central and Northeastern Brazil where rare or no autochthonous cases have been reported. However, in the last 10 years the disease has increasingly been registered in the Amazon Region. Aiming to investigate the possibility of the occurrence of autochthonous cycle of Chagas disease in Roraima, triatomine collections, vectorial susceptibility studies (this one to be shown elsewhere), parasitological and serological analyses were conducted in three agricultural settlement areas (Rorainópolis, Passarão Project and Ilha Community). Blood-donor candidates were also investigated. This is the first epidemiological survey on Chagas disease conducted in agricultural settlements in Roraima. Triatomine species found were Triatoma maculata, Rhodnius pictipes, Rhodnius robustus and Panstrongylus geniculatus. Trypanosoma cruzi detection analyses included xenodiagnosis, indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemaglutination, ELISA and kinetoplast PCR amplification. Natural triatomine infection was not found in intestinal contents. Twenty-five adult settlers (1.4% out of 1821, all > 15 year-old, 20 migrants) presented anti-T. cruzi antibodies. Two migrant settlers (from Minas Gerais and Maranhão) tested positive for more than two serological tests, besides either being positive for xenodiagnosis or PCR. Results show that Chagas disease is not endemic in the areas studied. However, all elements of the transmission cycle are present, demanding for an adequate and continuous vigilance.

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“…However, from an epidemiological perspective, Chagas disease has been occurring in this area for several years. It is even considered to be an occupational disease, because it is related to the extraction of piaçaba, during which individuals come into contact with Rhodnius brethesi, a known vector of the disease in that area, particularly in Barcelos, the municipality neighboring SIRN [8][9][10][11] .…”

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confidence: 99%