Clinical features of Chagas disease progression and severity.

Chagas disease, the most common form of nonischaemic cardiomyopathy globally, is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. Chagas cardiomyopathy has a wide clinical spectrum and prognosis, which is primarily determined by the severity of left ventricular dysfunction. Chagas disease also affects the brain, particularly manifesting as cardioembolic strokes and cognitive impairments.

Chagas disease in the immunocompromised host.

Purpose Of Review: To highlight recent advances in our understanding of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in immunocompromised individuals, a condition that is increasingly recognized as populations shift and use of immunosuppressive medications becomes more commonplace.

Recent Findings: Chagas disease screening programs should include people at risk for both Chagas disease and immunocompromise, e.g.

Chagas disease in immunocompromised patients.

SUMMARYAs Chagas disease remains prevalent in the Americas, it is important that healthcare professionals and researchers are aware of the screening, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment recommendations for the populations of patients they care for and study. Management of infection in immunocompromised hosts is challenging, particularly because, regardless of antitrypanosomal treatment status, immunocompromised patients with Chagas disease are at risk for reactivation, which can be lethal. Evidence-based practices to prevent and manage reactivation vary depending on the type of immunocompromise.

Chagas Disease Diagnostic Practices at Four Major Hospital Systems in California and Texas.

Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic disease that affects ∼300 000 people living in the United States. CD leads to cardiac and/or gastrointestinal disease in up to 30% of untreated people. However, end-organ damage can be prevented with early diagnosis and antiparasitic therapy.