Enfermedad de Chagas: correlación clínico-patológica. Serie de casos del Hospital Universitario de Santander - Departamento de Patología, Universidad Industrial de Santander

Abstract

Chagas disease is a condition that prevails in those regions of the Americas that combine geographical, climatic and ecological conditions so that man,Trypanosoma cruzi, their reservoirs and vectors may ideally interact. Objective to present nine cases of Chagas disease diagnosed by autopsy at the Department of Pathology, Universidad Industrial de Santander between 2002 and 2009, correlating post-mortem findings with the clinical manifestations, and compare these data with the information referred in the world literature. Materials and methods a descriptive, retrospective study of autopsy cases performed in the Department of Pathology, Universidad Industrial de Santander between January 2002 and June 30, 2009. Results of a total of 756 autopsies, nine (1.2%) were patients with confirmed diagnosis of Chagas disease: seven men and two women. The age range oscillated between 14 months and 56 years. Of the cases analyzed, five corresponded to the acute form, two to the chronic form, and two to a process of reactivation. All had cardiac involvement; one had colon involvement, and one brain involvement. The cause of death was directly related to these conditions. Conclusion in the presence of cardiac manifestations in endemic areas, is necessary to consider Chagas disease, in order to make an early and appropriate diagnosis, to identify cases and to establish specific management measures focused according to their condition.