Abstract

VERA DE BILBAO, N et al. Serologic and parasitologic evolution post-treatment of patients with recent chronic Chagas disease. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2006, vol.4, n.1, pp.5-10. ISSN 1812-9528.

A seroprevalence study of Trypanosoma cruzi performed by the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud in 1994 in 953 children of surrounding areas of Asuncion showed 1.4% prevalence by ELISA (IgG fraction). The positive results were confirmed by another ELISA (IgG fraction) and IIF (IgG/IgM fractions). The study included as benefit the free treatment of the seropositive children previous written consent of their parents. Five of the children received treatment with benznidazole at 5-7mg/kg/day during 60 days under medical supervision with hematological, chemical and cardiological evaluations. Parasitological results were negative in the basal study and after treatment. Side effects were not observed during treatment. Serological and parasitological controls were made at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-treatment. After 10 years post-treatment, one of the treated children was negative by IIF (IgG and IgM fractions) and ELISA (IgG fraction). Another patient in the same post-treatment period presented a decrease of three titres. A third child presented negative seroconversion by IIF and another had a decrease of four titres after one year post-treatment. After five years of treatment, a fifth patient showed a decrease of five titres by ELISA and four titres by IIF. The remarkable decrease of the antibody titres in three cases and two cases of seroconversion together with the pre and post-treatment clinical evaluations without alterations are strong evidence in favor of the treatment of patients with recent chronic Chagas disease.

Keywords : Trypanosoma cruzi; Benznidazole; Chagas disease; treatment, recent chronic phase.

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