Chagas Disease: A Silent Threat for Dogs and Humans

Abstract

Chagas disease (CD) is a vector-borne Neglected Zoonotic Disease (NZD) caused by a flagellate protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, that affects various mammalian species across America, including humans and domestic animals. However, due to an increase in population movements and new routes of transmission, T. cruzi infection is presently considered a worldwide health concern, no longer restricted to endemic countries. Dogs play a major role in the domestic cycle by acting very efficiently as reservoirs and allowing the perpetuation of parasite transmission in endemic areas. Despite the significant progress made in recent years, still there is no vaccine against human and animal disease, there are few drugs available for the treatment of human CD, and there is no standard protocol for the treatment of canine CD. In this review, we highlight human and canine Chagas Disease in its different dimensions and interconnections. Dogs, which are considered to be the most important peridomestic reservoir and sentinel for the transmission of T. cruzi infection in a community, develop CD that is clinically similar to human CD. Therefore, an integrative approach, based on the One Health concept, bringing together the advances in genomics, immunology, and epidemiology can lead to the effective development of vaccines, new treatments, and innovative control strategies to tackle CD.

Evaluation of chimeric recombinant antigens for the serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs: a promising tool for Chagas disease surveillance

“…Additionally, certain dogs exhibit high parasitemia, attracting vectors and demonstrating high susceptibility to infection [ 17 – 19 ]. Consequently, these animals are recognized as sentinels, as their infection precedes human infection, signaling an active parasite transmission cycle and a potential risk of human infection [ 20 ]. Dogs may also develop clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities similar to those in humans, rendering them valuable as an experimental model for CD.…”

Editorial: Neglected tropical diseases: tackling the challenges of a global world

“…ChD remains one of the most significant NTDs, affecting millions of individuals worldwide, and threatening the health and wellbeing of marginalized populations ( Bonney, 2014 ). The emergence of new transmission routes and a deeper understanding of the parasite transmission cycle ( Durães-Oliveira et al, 2024 ) have elevated CD to the forefront of WHO priorities for NTDs. Amiodarone and dronedarone, both antiarrhythmic drugs, have shown potential for treatment of symptomatic cardiac pathology in Chagas’ disease patients.…”