Clinical characteristics and outcome of 107 adult patients with chronic Chagas disease and parasitological cure criteria.

Background: The cure in adult patients with chronic Chagas disease and the relationship between parasitological and clinical evolution is still under debate. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical, epidemiological and progression features of the disease in a patient population who became serologically negative either spontaneously or post-etiological treatment.

Methods: We included 107 patients over 20 years old with three different confirmed reactive anti-Trypanosoma cruzi serologic tests on admission, and a minimum of two years of follow-up.

Allopurinol reduces antigen-specific and polyclonal activation of human T cells.

Allopurinol is the most popular commercially available xanthine oxidase inhibitor and it is widely used for treatment of symptomatic hyperuricaemia, or gout. Although, several anti-inflammatory actions of allopurinol have been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro, there have been few studies on the action of allopurinol on T cells. In the current study, we have assessed the effect of allopurinol on antigen-specific and mitogen-driven activation and cytokine production in human T cells.

Impact of aetiological treatment on conventional and multiplex serology in chronic Chagas disease.

Background: The main criterion for treatment effectiveness in Chagas Disease has been the seronegative conversion, achieved many years post-treatment. One of the main limitations in evaluating treatment for chronic Chagas disease is the lack of reliable tests to ensure parasite clearance and to examine the effects of treatment. However, declines in conventional serological titers and a new multiplex assay can be useful tools to monitor early the treatment impact.

The impact of socioeconomic conditions on chronic Chagas disease progression.

Introduction And Objectives: The extent to which a patient's socioeconomic conditions determine the persistence or control of chronic Chagas disease has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of socioeconomic conditions on clinical and serologic measures of disease progression.

Methods: Data on the following socioeconomic variables were obtained by questioning as part of medical history taking at admission: birth in a rural area, time of residence in endemic and urban areas (in years), overcrowding index (i.

Side effects of benznidazole as treatment in chronic Chagas disease: fears and realities.

Chagas disease is caused by a parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted primarily by a triatomine insect and affects approximately 8 million people in Latin American countries. The principal aim of the management of the disease is to avoid the development of cardiomyopathy and transmission by blood transfusion, congenital and organ transplants. Currently, benznidazole is the only etiological treatment commercially available for the disease until new and better drugs can be developed and tested.

[Predictors of heart failure in chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction].

Introduction And Objectives: The development of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction signifies a worsening of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Our objective was to identify factors that predict the development of heart failure and all-cause mortality.

Methods: The study included 95 patients with an echocardiographic diagnosis of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction.

Long-term cardiac outcomes of treating chronic Chagas disease with benznidazole versus no treatment: a nonrandomized trial.

Background: Benznidazole is effective for treating acute-stage Chagas disease, but its effectiveness for treating indeterminate and chronic stages remains uncertain.

Objective: To compare long-term outcomes of patients with nonacute Chagas disease treated with benznidazole versus outcomes of those who did not receive treatment.

Design: Clinical trial with unblinded, nonrandom assignment of patients to intervention or control groups.

[Clinical predictors of chronic chagasic myocarditis progression].

Introduction And Objectives: Previous prognostic studies of Chagas' disease have focused on mortality associated with end-stage cardiopathy (i.e., heart failure).