Chagas Disease

SEO Title: Chagas Disease: Cause, Vector, Symptoms, Transmission and Prevention

Category: Science & Technology | Health | Tropical Diseases

UPSC Notes

Chagas disease is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and is primarily associated with Latin America.

Key Pointers

  • Causative parasite: Trypanosoma cruzi.

  • Vector: triatomine bugs, commonly called kissing bugs.

  • Transmission can occur through:

    • Vector contact

    • Contaminated food

    • Blood transfusion

    • Organ transplantation

    • Mother-to-child transmission

  • Acute infection may have mild or nonspecific symptoms.

  • Chronic disease can affect:

    • Heart

    • Digestive system

    • Nervous system

  • Important neglected tropical disease.

Prelims Focus: Chagas → T. cruzi → triatomine/kissing bug → Latin America → cardiac complications.