Microbiology as we know, has given the theoretical and methodological elements to set up and evaluate the concept of "tropical disease", to confirm and establish it. Tropical Medicine is known today as a science dealing with parasites and infections, the most common causes of health affections throughout the intertropical zone of the globe. Due to a wider identification of these infections, this speciality has increased its scope, the infections having a natural diversity in the tropics. The vision of the tropics, which the main component included the climatic determination of disease, is decreased today by the concept that diseases are on a social and economic basis, as well as ecologically set up. This interpretation which highlights the physical and natural determinants of disease, tends to place climatic, geographic and biological factors on the same level, reducing man to the animal interaction plan and turning culture and society as another way of the environment.
Tropical Diseases; Chagas Disease; Brazilian Medicine; History