Chagas disease of the colon and rectum

Todd, Ian P.; Porter, N. H.; Morson, B. C.; Smith, Barbara; Friedmann, Christina; Neal, R. A.

doi:10.1136/gut.10.12.1009

Cited by 25 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Empowering deleterious factors in the acute phase of the disease by increasing the number of parasites in the inoculum contributed significantly to reducing the thickness of the muscular layer, event observed when we compared the medium and high groups. Morphological changes in intestinal tissue associated with Chagas disease are already known and widely studied in the chronic phase of the disease [ 13 , 25 , 26 ]; since the morphometric changes are associated with denervation of the muscle layer, which facilitates the dilation of the tissue, thereby decreasing its thickness. Accordingly, we add new information to the literature since we have demonstrated that a reduction in thickness also happens in the acute phase due to an increase in the inoculum.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflammatory responses and intestinal injury development during acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection are associated with the parasite load

Vazquez

Miguel

et al. 2015

Parasites Vectors

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BackgroundChagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and is characterized by cardiac, gastrointestinal, and nervous system disorders. Although much about the pathophysiological process of Chagas disease is already known, the influence of the parasite burden on the inflammatory process and disease progression remains uncertain.MethodsWe used an acute experimental disease model to evaluate the effect of T. cruzi on intestinal lesions and assessed correlations between parasite load and inflammation and intestinal injury at 7 and 14 days post-infection. Low (3 × 102), medium (3 × 103), and high (3 × 104) parasite loads were generated by infecting C57BL/6 mice with “Y”-strain trypomastigotes. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance with Tukey’s multiple comparison post-test, Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparison, χ2 test and Spearman correlation.ResultsHigh parasite load-bearing mice more rapidly and strongly developed parasitemia. Increased colon width, inflammatory infiltration, myositis, periganglionitis, ganglionitis, pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2, IL-17, IL-6), and intestinal amastigote nests were more pronounced in high parasite load-bearing animals. These results were remarkable because a positive correlation was observed between parasite load, inflammatory infiltrate, amastigote nests, and investigated cytokines.ConclusionsThese experimental data support the idea that the parasite load considerably influences the T. cruzi-induced intestinal inflammatory response and contributes to the development of the digestive form of the disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflammatory responses and intestinal injury development during acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection are associated with the parasite load

Vazquez

Miguel

et al. 2015

Parasites Vectors

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“…This entity, however, is characterized by its longer clinical course, a family history, and multiple organ involvement [1]. In adult patients, acquired hypoganglionosis was reported in patients with Chagas' disease [9] and in those with long-term use of toxic drugs [7,8]. Our patient had no signs of Chagas' disease nor any history of drug abuse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Some cases of primary pseudoobstruction result from degeneration of the intramural ganglion cells [2,3]. While the intramural ganglion cells are known to be particularly sensitive to anoxemia [4,5] and other environmental factors [6], their selective degeneration has been substantiated in a few adult patients using certain drugs [7,8] and in patients with Chagas' disease [9]. We report a case of rare acquired pseudoobstruction of the colon due to segmental hypoganglionosis probably caused by factors other than those cited above.…”

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confidence: 99%

Acquired pseudoobstruction of the colon due to segmental hypoganglionosis

Matsui

Iwashita

Iida

et al. 1987

Gastrointest Radiol

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A case of acquired pseudoobstruction of the colon due to segmental hypoganglionosis is reported. The patient became constipated during pregnancy and obstructive symptoms followed. Radiologically, the diseased segment was spastic and the proximal colon was extremely dilated. Microscopically, the involved segment showed marked diminution in the number of intramural ganglion cells and those present showed degenerative changes.

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“…Increased colonic muscle thickness of the longitudinal layer affects the circular muscle more than the longitudinal muscle layer in Chagasic megacolon . The processes leading to thickening and dilation are thought to pass through different stages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%