New focus of active transmission of Chagas disease in indigenous populations in the Peruvian Amazon basin
Introduction Several cases of acute Chagas disease (ACD) have been reported in the Peruvian Amazon basin. Methods The objective was to describe and investigate 6 ACD cases in children from indigenous Amazon communities in the province of Datem del Marañón in Loreto department (2006-2010). Result...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
2013-06-01
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Series: | Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822013000300367&lng=en&tlng=en |
Summary: | Introduction Several cases of acute Chagas disease (ACD) have been reported in the Peruvian Amazon basin. Methods The objective was to describe and investigate 6 ACD cases in children from indigenous Amazon communities in the province of Datem del Marañón in Loreto department (2006-2010). Results The mean age was 3.6 years. All patients had fever, 4/6 hepatomegaly, 2/6 splenomegaly, and 5/6 had trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi on thick smears. The fatality rate was 33.3%. Rhodnius pictipes and Rhodnius robustus adults were found inside the homes and in the peri-domiciles. Conclusions All cases reported were isolated cases. We report a new focus of ACD in indigenous populations. |
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ISSN: | 1678-9849 |