The chronic phase of CD, which can last for several decades, may result in cardiac and/or gastrointestinal complications. CD can be treated with antiparasitic medications or symptomatic therapies that respond to the physiological effects of an infection.

Stages of Disease

Chagas disease has been reported as more than 1 million cases in Mexico. The highest prevalence occurs in Oaxaca and Chiapas. In Yucatan the prevalence is approximately one percent; these triatomine vectors (kissing bugs) have been linked to dogs, chickens and vegetation that are hospitable environments for these bugs. The rate of T. cruzi vector-borne transmission has been estimated at approximately one human infection per 900–4,000 contacts with triatomines. Within rural Mayan societies on the Yucatan peninsula, T. cruzi infections have been reported among mothers and their offspring. This suggests both congenital and vector-borne transmission.

Chagas Disease in the Gulf of Mexico

A significant amount of resources, from numerous scientific institutions across the Gulf Coast, have been directed towards studying Chagas Disease. Researchers are implementing interventions to disrupt maternal-to-child transmission and developing a therapeutic vaccine that can be used in conjunction with antiparasitic drugs. Research on CD was led by a consortium of institutions, including the Carlos Slim Health Institute, the National School of Tropical Medicine and the Sabin Vaccine Institute. 

Studying Chagas Disease

Chagas disease (CD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and transmitted to humans by insect vectors. 

Tulane University

Georgetown University

- Lymphatic filariasis
- Malaria
- Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis)
- Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
- Tungiasis
- Leishmaniasis
- Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis)
- Sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis)

Examples of vector borne parasitic diseases

Hotez, P. J., Bottazzi, M. E., Dumonteil, E., &amp; Buekens, P. (2015). The Gulf of Mexico: A “Hot Zone” for Neglected Tropical Diseases? PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(2). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003481

The Gulf of Mexico: A "Hot Zone" for Tropical Diseases?

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/detailed.html#intro

CDC: Chagas Disease

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease found in the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe that is transmitted through sand flies. 

Leishmaniasis

Malaria is caused by a parasite and spread by mosquitos, bringing a flu like illness that can be fatal.

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