New Tools for the Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment Follow-up in Chagas Disease

Evolution of Serologic Biomarkers and Diastolic Function and Segmentary Contractility Determined by Echocardiography After Treatment in Chagas Diseases

Chagas disease is endemic to Latin America, and is of emerging importance in non-endemic countries because migration of people infected with T. cruzi. Current methods for diagnosis of T. cruzi infection are not ideal. Existing drugs for treatment are very limited, produce severe side-effects, and their effectiveness cannot be properly evaluated. Reliable biomarkers for prognosis, early diagnosis and effectiveness of treatment will be investigated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients from endemic areas (Latin America)
• Older than 18 years old and younger than 50
• With serological confirmation of Chagas Disease infection with two different techniques
• Indeterminate or initial cardiac form
• No previously treated for Chagas Disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Co-morbidity: previous cardiac disease from other aetiology (ischemic, alcoholic or hypertensive), active inflammatory or immunology diseases for another agent. Hepatic disfunction
• Pregnancy or lactation