American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) is a zoonosis causedby the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi1,2. As is typicalof tropical diseases, it is a major cause of morbidity and mortalityamong poor people in developing countries, but health care providersin industrialized nations see it less frequently and know littleabout it. Chagas' disease is endemic in almost all Latin Americancountries, including Mexico and the Central American nations.Since the mid-1970s, large numbers of immigrants have enteredthe United States from regions where Chagas' disease is common,especially Central America. Epidemiologic evidence suggeststhat many of these people are . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Biology of the Parasite and Modes of Transmission
Pathologic and Clinical Manifestations
Diagnosis
Treatment
Epidemiology
Latin America
The United States
Issues Related to Infected Immigrants
Transmission of the Parasite
Screening
T. cruzi Infection, Immunosuppression, and Transplantation
Source Information
From the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Kirchhoff at EMRB-300G, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.
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