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Chagas disease
(chah´gәs)
a type of trypanosomiasis found from the southern United States south into South America, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi; it is transmitted to humans from domestic or wild mammals by means of the feces of a blood-sucking insects. The trypanosomes
multiply around the points of entry before entering the person's blood and eventually attacking the heart, brain, and other
tissues. The acute form often attacks children. Early symptoms include swelling of the eyelids and the development of a hard,
red, painful nodule on the skin. Enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen occurs, along with inflammation of the heart muscle, personality changes, and overall weakness. In adults the chronic form
often resembles heart disease. Called also American or South American trypanosomiasis.
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