American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease causes severe socioeconomic impact and a high medical cost in Latin America. WHO and the World Bank consider Chagas disease as the fourth most transmittable disease to have a major impact on public health in Latin America: 120 million persons are potentially exposed, 16 to 18 million of whom are presently infected, causing 45,000 to 50,000 deaths per year. It has been calculated that approximately 2.4 million potential working years are lost because of incapacity and mortality due to the disease, for an annual cost estimated at 20 billion Euros. American Trypanosomiasis provides a comprehensive overview of Chagas disease and discusses the latest discoveries concerning the three elements that compose the transmission chain of the disease: The host: human and mammalian reservoirs The insect vectors: domestic and sylvatic vectors The causative parasite: Trypanosoma cruzi Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts

American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas Disease: One Hundred Years of Research, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive overview of Chagas disease and discusses the latest discoveries concerning the three elements that compose the transmission chain of the disease, the host, the insect vectors, and the causative parasite. In addition, new insights on the molecular biology and diagnostics of Chagas diseases, the persistence of infections in the host, and the interaction of the parasite and host metabolism are now included in this new and updated edition. Provides a thoroughly revised, updated, and streamlined new edition with contributions from leading authorities and industry experts Informs and updates on all the latest developments of Chagas disease, covering biology, clinical aspects, and human sciences Includes a summarizing chapter that provides key insights of practical significance for prevention efforts

American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. Sixteen to eighteen million people are currently infected with this organism, and 45,000 deaths are attributed to the disease each year. Infection with T. cruzi is life-long, and 10-30% of persons who harbor the parasite chronically develop cardiac and gastrointestinal problems associated with the parasitosis. Although major progress has been made in recent years in reducing vector-borne and transfusion-associated transmission of T. cruzi, the burden of disability and death in persons chronically infected with the organism continues to be enormous. Eight to ten million persons born in countries in which Chagas disease is endemic currently reside in the United States, and epidemiologic and census data suggest that 50,000-100,000 are chronically infected with T. cruzi. The presence of these infected persons poses a risk of transmission of the parasite in the USA through blood transfusion and organ transplantation and several such cases have now been documented. American Trypanosomiasis, volume seven of World Class Parasites is written for students of tropical medicine, parasitology and public health, for researchers and practitioners alike who wish to bring themselves abreast of the status quo with respect to this disease. It is intended to supplement formal textbooks, in order to broaden and illuminate current areas of scientific and public health concern. Uniquely for T. cruzi, this book addresses parasite, vector and host biology, the pathogenesis of Chagas disease and current and prospective therapeutics and control strategies in a single volume.

This new volume written by experts in the field of trypanosome research covers every aspect of trypanosome-vector-host biology. It is a must read for basic researchers working with trypanosomes and related organisms, infection and drug development as well as parasitology in a broader sense. ​

American Trypanosomiasis: Global Status is one in a series of GIDEON ebooks which explore all individual infectious diseases, drugs, vaccines, outbreaks, surveys and pathogens in every country of the world. Data are based on the GIDEON web application (www.gideononline.com) which relies on standard text books, peer-review journals, Health Ministry reports and ProMED, supplemented by an ongoing exhaustive search of the medical literature. The ebook includes: 1. Descriptive epidemiology 2. Clinical features 3. Distribution map 4. Images 5. Global status and status in every relevant country 6. References

This book provides a comprehensive resource on various aspects of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and the neglected tropical disease Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), the disorder resulting from infection with the parasite. Topics include the biological description and taxonomy of the parasite, epidemiology and transmission routes, laboratory techniques in use when working with the parasite, as well as diagnostic measures and treatment of Chagas disease. Furthermore, a chapter with life stories of people in contact with the disease in endemic as well as non-endemic countries is included. The book is therefore a valuable source for individuals engaged in basic research as well as patient care and health management related to American trypanosomiasis.

This Brief provides a comprehensive overview of Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that is traditionally considered as exclusively vectorborne, but can be foodborne, and may lead to outbreaks of Chagas disease in consumers. The characteristics of Trypanosoma cruzi and the clinical effects of the disease are covered, including documented outbreaks, regional patterns, and epidemiology. The various transmission routes are outlined, but with specific focus on foodborne transmission. A major emphasis of this text is contamination of fruit juices with Trypanosoma cruzi in, a transmission vehicle with increasing significance in the spread of this parasite. Also outlined is the difficulty of establishing a protocol for detection in food samples. Results on survival of Trypanosoma cruzi in food matrices is considered, as well as current risk assessment procedures and regulations. Different approaches to preventing transmission, including inactivation and decontamination are introduced, but also the importance of targeted educational initiatives, and also with a focus on future detection, prevention, and prevention of contamination of foods with this parasite.

The authors begin reviewing the characterization of American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas Disease, noting that although the disease has become less prevalent in recent decades, it is estimated that 8-10 million people are currently infected. Next, authors present a study wherein the dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (which causes Chagas disease) were mathematically modelled. This model assumed three clinical stages of the disease; acute, chronic indeterminate, and chronic with determinate pathology. Following this, cysteine proteases, ergosterol metabolic pathways, thiol-dependent mechanisms (trypanothione reductase), glycolytic pathways, trans-sialidase enzymes, the transport and metabolism of polyamines, and examples from literature are described in the context of therapeutic targets. The book goes on to discuss the history of nifurtimox and benznidazole, two drugs used in an effort combat Chagas disease. Additionally, the chapter addresses new therapies in clinical research to develop new treatments for Chagas' disease. In closing, the authors discuss the idea of targeting the cell cycle of T. cruzi in chemotherapy because the parasite undergoes several morphological changes to adapt to its vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.