Molecular detection and parasite load of Trypanosoma cruzi in digestive tract tissue of Chagas disease patients affected by megacolon.

Chagas disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite in the Americas affects ∼ 7 million people, 30% with cardiac tissue damage and 10-15% with digestive disorders. In this study, we have developed a protocol to detect the presence of the parasite and estimate its load in resected dysfunctional tissue segments of chronically infected patients with digestive megacolon. We have included samples from 43 individuals, 38/5 with positive/negative serology for Chagas disease and digestive syndromes.