Accidental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi follow-up by the polymerase chain reaction: case report

Abstract

SUMMARYWe report a case of accidental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in a 42-year-old female patient who presented an inoculation chagoma. Laboratory confirmation was based on examination of fresh blood, Giemsa-stained blood smear, immunoenzyme test (EIA-IgG), indirect immunofluorescence (IIF-IgM, IgG) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Only the PCR gave a positive result, and the EIA test was inconclusive. Two treatments with benznidazole were necessary. PCR was the only technique that continued to give positive results for approximately two months (65 days, or 2.2 months) following the second treatment and negative results from 96 days (3.2 months) to 850 days (28.3 months). We concluded that the presence of an inoculation chagoma and use of PCR were important and decisive for diagnosis and follow-up of the case.

Parasitic Diseases

“…766 -770 Infected dogs have been identifi ed in other parts of the United States, 771,772 including as far north as Virginia. 758,759 Outbreaks have also been described in association with the consumption of sugarcane juice and the consumption of Acai palm fruit juice or paste. Social aspects also play a role, particularly keeping animals in when the insect vector deposits feces containing trypomastigotes at the bite site.…”

Molecular Epidemiology of Trypanosomatids and Trypanosoma cruzi in Primates from Peru

“…Trade of wildlife for exotic pet markets results in close contact between humans and NHPs, providing new opportunities for disease emergence (Wolfe et al 1998). Accidental infections have been reported to occur not only by needlestick injuries, but by exposure of mucous membranes to contaminated fluids and skin lesions while handling infected animals (Hofflin et al 1987; Kinoshita-Yanaga et al 2009, Pereira et al 2010; Kirchhoff 2011). This may be a frequent threat in rural communities where wild animals are hunted for subsistence, because carcasses are handled with bare hands.…”

Biological Risks and Laboratory-Acquired Infections: A Reality That Cannot be Ignored in Health Biotechnology

“…Because of the increased interest in parasitic diseases, research in both human and veterinary medicine, mainly in the context of One Health (Oura, 2014 ), the potential exposure to parasites in the laboratory probably increases the risk for acquiring parasitic infections. Parasitic LAIs by malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, fascioliasis, or schistosomiasis among others have been reported (Herwaldt and Juranek, 1993 ; Herwaldt, 2001 ; Kinoshita-Yanaga et al, 2009 ; Felinto de Brito et al, 2012 ). The common route of parasitic LAIs has mainly been associated with needlestick injuries, although other causes such as barehanded work or research in the open field have also been reported (Herwaldt, 2001 ).…”