Chagas disease

• agent: Trypanosoma cruzi
• armadillo (reservoir) --> reduviid bug (vector) --> human

• destroys myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus of esophagus
  ==> esophageal dysmotility
• may also involve:
  • colon ==> megacolon
  • heart ==> cardiomyopathy, CMG

• simulates achalasia

© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18