Oesophageal motility disorders in infected immigrants with Chagas disease in a non-endemic European area

Abstract

Background: Immigration-related new diseases pose a growing challenge for healthcare services in receptor countries. Following Latin American migration, Chagas disease has inevitably appeared in Europe. Aim: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of oesophageal motility disorders in immigrants infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, using high resolution oesophageal manometry (HREM). Methods: In all newly-diagnosed cases with chronic Chagas infection referring upper digestive symptoms, a protocolized clinical evaluation and complementary tests including barium oesophagogram and HREM were carried out. As control group, 14 healthy subjects from the same endemic areas were studied with HREM. Results: We included 61 patients (46 female, 15 male; age range 26-63 years). Only seven patients (11%) had a minor alteration on barium oesophagogram. By contrast, 23 (37%) patients showed an alteration in oesophageal manometry, mainly minor motility disorders (34%). Only one healthy control (7%) had a minor motility disorder at HREM (p ¼ 0.029 vs. patients).Conclusions: Oesophageal motor disorders in infected immigrants with Chagas disease are common, and mainly characterized by a minor motility disorder that is not detected by barium oesophagogram. Hence, as well as barium oesophagogram examination, HREM should be considered, to assess oesophageal damage in this specific group of patients.

How does per-oral endoscopic myotomy compare to Heller myotomy? The Latin American perspective

“…Even though Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic in rural areas of Central and South America, global migration, especially from rural areas, has aided Chagas disease to present in areas unthinkable until recent years. Roure et al showed data from 62 patients in non-endemic European areas presenting esophageal Chagas affection [1,2]. As of 2013, approximately 36.7 million people migrated out of Latin America and the Caribbean and were residing elsewhere in the world, predominantly in North America [3], bringing Chagas disease to urban environments [4].…”

First records of Triatoma rubrofasciata (De Geer, 1773) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in Foshan, Guangdong Province, Southern China

“…Due to growing population movements, important epidemiological changes have occurred, and the disease has now spread to non-endemic countries. At present, Chagas disease has been diagnosed in several non-endemic countries, such as Canada, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, as well as in Europe [ 10 – 12 ]. Fortunately, there has not yet been any record of Chagas disease in China, but the presence of two species of Triatoma ( T. rubrofasciata De Geer and T. sinica Hsiao) were recorded over three decades ago [ 13 ].…”

Symptoms Associated With Different Degrees of Megaesophagus in Chagas Disease

“…Jaline de Araujo OLIVEIRA 1 , Aretuza Zaupa Gasparim El GHARIB 1 and Roberto Oliveira DANTAS 2 either oropharyngeal or esophageal, as changes in the esophagus, pharyngoesophageal transit, and pharynx are observed in the disease (4)(5)(6)(7)(8) .…”

“…Chagas disease, caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an infectious condition with great morbimortality potential and impact on the biological, social, economic, and psychological aspects of health (1) . It is widely distributed in Latin America and present in other continents, as well (1,2) .…”