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Vectorial of transmission: in 80% of the
cases humans have been infected by vectorial transmission
( via the feces of tritominae)
Transplacental via: the prenatal infection
by transplacental passage of trypanosomes from
the mother with acute or chronic infection is
possible. It has been verified that not infected
kids have been born even though the existence
of many parasites in the placenta. But on the
other hand, it has been found mothers with very
low parasitism and the newborn baby with the chagas
disease (fever,dystrophy, edema and high parasitism).
Transfusion of infected blood: other important
number of infections is produced by the transfusion
of blood from donators who ignore that they are
infected. There has been some fatal cases but
most of them suddenly improve even though the
existence of high initial parasitism. The possibility
to evolve is conditioned by the infection stock
and the receptors immunity.
Breast milk: the transmission of the infection
from a mother infected with chagas disease to
his child via breast milk is possible. However
, it is very rare and some specialist consider
that it is a remote risk. Anyway , its advisable
that the children of infected mothers not be breast
fed.
By accidental contamination in the laboratory:
there has been many cases by accidental infection
in medical laboratories due to the manipulation
of kissing bedbugs, infected animals or biological
material from sick people or infected animals.
This was the case of Mario
Fatala Chaben who died from the infection.
Management of infected animals: people
have got infected by skinning wild or semi domestic
animals. The trypanosomes have been found in dogs
saliva with high parasitism.
Contaminated food (poultry, beef, etc):
this is accidental and might happen when eating
food that has had contact with feces from infected
bedbugs. It is not very frequent and hence not
very epidemiologically important.
Source of Information
• Yves Carlier, MD, MSc.
Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)
eMedicine.com, Inc.
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic327.htm
Used with permission from eMedicine.com,
Inc., 2004. Carlier Y, Luquetti AO, Dias JCP, Truyens
C, et al. Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis).
eMedicine Journal [serial online]. 2004. Available
at: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic327.htm. Accessed
Date (i.e., January 19, 2004).
More Information
• The Chagas Disease
• Historical Review
• Dr.
Carlos Justiniano Riveiro Chagas (1879-1934)
• Dr.
Salvador Mazza (1886 -1946)
• Dr.
Mario Fatala Chabén (1936-1962)
• Dr.
Oswaldo Cruz (1872-1917)
• Medical
Information
• Epidemiology
• Mortality
• Race,
sex and age.
• Modes
of Transmission
• Pathophysiology
• Clinical
Information
• Diagnostic
• Other
Medical Information
• Prevention
and Control
• Frequently Asked Questions
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