What is Chagasic myocarditis?
Chagas cardiomyopathy encompasses all cases of Chagas disease with cardiac involvement, defined by the presence of at least a typical electrocardiographic abnormality in those patients who have positive serological tests against T cruzi.
How does Chagas disease affect the heart?
The pathology of Chagas disease is based in an inmunoinflammatory reaction producing fibrosis and remodelling, mainly in the myocardium. In many cases these mechanisms result in a dilated cardiomyopathy with HF and reduced ejection fraction, frequent cardiac arrhythmias and different types of heart block.
What type of cardiomyopathy does Chagas disease cause?
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that can cause acute myopericarditis as well as chronic fibrosing myocarditis. CD is the most common cause of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in Latin America [1].
What parasites cause pericarditis?
TABLE 1.
| Parasitic infection | Causative organism | Heart involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Cysticercosis | Taenia solium | Myocarditis (very rare) |
| Trichinellosis | Trichinella spiralis | Myocarditis and pericarditis |
| Amebiasis | Entamoeba histolytica | Pericarditis |
| Echinococcosis | Echinococcus granulosus | Pericarditis; cysts anywhere in the heart |
How do you test for Chagas disease?
The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination. A thick and thin blood smear are made and stained for visualization of parasites.
How is Chagas cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
Chagas cardiomyopathy is a common aetiology of CHF in endemic countries and it is increasing in other countries as a result of migration. Chagasic patients have a poorer prognosis than non-chagasic patients. The diagnosis is based on serology to detect immunoglobulin G antibodies to T. cruzi.
What is chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy?
Parasite-dependent inflammation and myocardial damage – Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy is an acquired cardiomyopathy characterised by sparse inflammatory infiltrates, minimal parasitaemia, low-grade tissue parasitism, and intense and extensive reparative and reactive fibrosis (Rossi 1991).
What does myocarditis and pericarditis feel like?
chest pain, pressure or discomfort. pain with breathing (pleuritic chest pain) shortness of breath. palpitations.
What are the side effects of nifurtimox?
The most common side effects of nifurtimox include the following:
- Anorexia and weight loss.
- Polyneuropathy.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Headache.
- Dizziness or vertigo.
How long does it take for Chagas to become chronic?
Signs and symptoms of the chronic phase of Chagas disease may occur 10 to 20 years after initial infection, or they may never occur. In severe cases, Chagas disease signs and symptoms may include: Irregular heartbeat. Heart failure.
Do you recover from myocarditis and pericarditis?
Most cases of myocarditis are self-resolving. Other cases recover several months after you receive treatment. In some cases, this condition can recur and can cause symptoms related to inflammation such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Can myocarditis and pericarditis be cured?
Combating Pericarditis, Myocarditis, and Endocarditis In some cases, however, the heart is too weakened by myocarditis to fully recover, and the only remaining solution is a heart transplant. Because endocarditis is caused by a systemic infection (bacteria) rather than a virus, it can be treated with antibiotics.
How is myocarditis pericarditis treated?
Treatment
- Pain relievers. Pericarditis pain can usually be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
- Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare). This drug reduces inflammation in the body.
- Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are strong medications that fight inflammation.