Assessment of biomarkers and clinical parameters as predictors of survival in patients with chagasic heart failure.

Background: Chagas disease, endemic in Latin America and spreading globally due to emigration, has a significant health burden, particularly in relation to chagasic heart failure (HF). Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by chronic inflammatory myocardial disease. This study aimed to identify inflammatory parameters and biomarkers that could aid in the management of patients with chagasic HF.

Recurrent and disseminated pityriasis versicolor: A novel clinical form consequent to Malassezia-host interaction?

Pityriasis versicolor is a superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp. The aim of this study is to propose the definition of a new clinical entity: the recurrent and disseminated pityriasis versicolor (RDPV). All patients with RDPV were enrolled over an eight-month period.

Interdisciplinary approach at the primary healthcare level for Bolivian immigrants with Chagas disease in the city of São Paulo.

Background/methods: In a pioneering cross-sectional study among Bolivian immigrants in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, the epidemiological profile, clinical manifestations and morbidity of Chagas disease were described. The feasibility of the management of Chagas disease at primary healthcare clinics using a biomedical and psychosocial interdisciplinary approach was also tested. Previously, a Trypanosoma cruzi (T.

Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among Bolivian immigrants in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

With the urbanisation of the population in developing countries and the process of globalisation, Chagas has become an emerging disease in the urban areas of endemic and non-endemic countries. In 2006, it was estimated that the prevalence of Chagas disease among the general Bolivian population was 6.8%.

Inconclusive results in conventional serological screening for Chagas' disease in blood banks: evaluation of cellular and humoral response.

Objective: To find the most reliable screening method for Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood banks.

Material And Methods: Epidemiological data, lymphoproliferation assay, parasitological, conventional serological tests: immunofluorescence, haemagglutination, ELISA with epimastigote and trypomastigote antigens and reference serological tests: trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigens (TESA) blot and chemiluminescent ELISA assay with mucine from trypomastigote forms were applied to individuals with inconclusive serology, non-chagasic individuals and chronic chagasic patients.

Results: TESA blot had the best performance when used as a single test in all the groups.