American Trypanosomiasis | Chagas Disease | kissing bugs



American Trypanosomiasis is described as a tropical parasitic infection which is transmitted by blood sucking insects like kissing bugs which usually crawl to bite. Yow will face flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. But this disease can lead to serious life-threatening complications. With the help of immediate treatment, most people with Chagas disease will recover fully.


Also called Chagas disease, American trypanosomiasis can infect anyone. If you are left untreated, Chagas disease will cause severe heart and digestive issues.


In the acute phase of infection, treatments of Chagas disease will aim to kill the parasite. People who have chronic Chagas disease, no longer able to kill the parasite. Treatment in this phase of managing signs and symptoms only. But you can take preventive steps to prevent infection.


Causes


Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is caused by the parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. This disease can spread by infected blood-sucking bugs called triatomine bugs. These bugs are also called kissing bugs because they usually bite people's faces. When one of these bugs bites you then it leaves infected waste in your face. You can become infected if you rub that waste in your eyes and nose, the bite wound or any cut in your face.


American Trypanosomiasis can also spread the disease through contaminated food, blood transfusion, organ donation or from the pregnant woman to the baby during pregnancy.


Symptoms


American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease that cause sudden acute illness or it might be a chronic illness. Usually, symptoms can range from mild to severe, but many people don’t usually experience any symptoms until you reach the chronic stage.


Acute phase


Usually, the acute phase of this disease lasts for weeks to months, and is often free from symptoms.  If signs and symptoms occur, they usually very mild and it includes:


  • Swelling at the infection site

  • Fever

  • Fatigue

  • Rash

  • Body aches

  • Eyelid swelling

  • Headache

  • Loss of appetite

  • Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting

  • Swollen glands

  • Enlarged liver or Enlarged spleen


Usually, the acute phase symptoms go away on their own. If the infection is not treated immediately, then it will advance to the chronic phase.


Chronic phase


Chronic phase symptoms of Chagas disease might occur 10 to 20 years after the initial infection or it will never come. In severe cases of Chagas disease, signs and symptoms are:


  • Irregular heartbeat

  • Heart failure

  • Sudden cardiac arrest

  • Difficulty in swallowing because of enlarged esophagus

  • Stomach pain or constipation because of enlarged colon


Diagnosis 


Your healthcare professional will diagnose chagas disease with the help of a simple blood test. This test will look for the presence of antibodies against the parasite.


After the confirmation of diagnosis and complete medical history, your physician will suggest a cardiac test to rule out the other complications like heart or gastrointestinal problems. Some test are:


  • Echocardiogram, in this test, they use sound waves to create a detailed or brief picture of your heart and its functions.

  • Electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG), in this test they use electrodes which are attached to your skin. It helps to record your heart’s electrical activity.

  • Imaging tests like X-ray or CT scan of the abdomen or chest areas. This test helps to check for an enlarged colon or esophagus.

  • Abdominal X-ray, this test that uses radiation which helps to capture the images of your stomach, intestines and colon.

  • Upper endoscopy, for this, you swallow a thin, lighted tube which transmits the images of your esophagus on the screen.


Treatment


Treatment for Chagas disease mainly focuses on killing the parasite and it helps to manage the symptoms.


During the acute phase, your provider prescribed medications benznidazole and nifurtimox (Lampit) might be of benefit. Both the medications are available in the regions where Chagas disease mostly affected the people.


Once this infection reaches the chronic phase, medications won’t cure the disease. But the medication will be offered to people who are younger than the age of 50 years because it helps slow the progression of disease and serious complications.

Complications


If  chagas disease infection reaches the long lasting chronic phase of this health condition, serious  and severe heart or digestive life threatening complications will happen. These includes:


  • Heart failure. Heart failure will happen when your heart becomes weak or stiff that it can’t pump the blood to meet your body's needs.

  • Enlargement of the esophagus (megaesophagus). It is a very rare condition caused by the abnormal widening or dilation of your esophagus. This will lead you to face difficulty in swallowing and digestion.

  • Enlargement of the colon (megacolon). Megacolon happens when your colon becomes abnormally dilated which causes stomach pain, swelling and severe constipation.


Prevention


If you live in a highly risked area for chagas disease, below steps will help you to prevent the infection:


  • You must avoid sleeping in houses like mud, thatch or adobe. These types of living places are likely to harbor triatomine bugs.

  • You can use insecticide-soaked netting to cover your bed when sleeping in thatch, mud or adobe houses.

  • You can use insecticides to remove the insects from your residence.

  • You must use insect repellent on exposed skin.


Frequently Asked Questions


Q1. What causes American Trypanosoma?

Ans: It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors.

Q2. What are the clinical features of American trypanosomiasis?

Ans: Symptoms of acute Chagas disease may include malaise, anorexia, myalgia, and headache, but many recently infected persons are asymptomatic.


Q3. What bug causes American trypanosomiasis?

Ans: Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic infection transmitted by crawling, blood-sucking insects (kissing bugs). 


Q4. What attracts kissing bugs?

Ans: Adults fly well and are attracted to lights after dark.


Q5. Do kissing bugs live in beds?

Ans: In homes, kissing bugs will hide in cracks and holes in beds, floors, walls, and furniture.

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