Outbreak of acute Chagas disease associated with oral transmission in the Rio Negro region, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Introduction: Chagas disease is considered as emerging in the Brazilian Amazon, usually occurring in acute outbreaks. Methods: We describe 17 cases of acute Chagas disease in Rio Negro, Amazonas. Results: There were 15 males (average age, 31.3 years), all positive for Trypanosoma cruzi in fresh blood smear examination, and 14 positive by xenodiagnosis and PCR. The top clinical manifestations were fever, asthenia, abdominal pain, and palpitations. Electrocardiograms featured low-voltage QRS, anterosuperior divisional block, and right bundle branch block associated with anterosuperior divisional block. Conclusions: All patients had consumed açaí products from Monte Alegre in the rural area around Santa Izabel do Rio Negro, Brazil.