Abstract

BILATE, Angelina M.B.  and  CUNHA-NETO, Edecio. Chagas disease cardiomyopathy: current concepts of an old disease. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo [online]. 2008, vol.50, n.2, pp. 67-74.  Epub Jan 18, 2008 ISSN 0036-4665.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652008007500001.

Chagas disease continues to be a significant public health problem, as ca. 10 million people are still infected with T. cruzi in Latin America. Decades after primary infection, 30% of individuals can develop a form of chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy known as Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC). Data from both murine models and human studies support the view that an autoimmune response as well as a parasite-driven immune response involving inflammatory cytokines and chemokines may both play a role in generating the heart lesions leading to CCC. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

Keywords : Chagas disease; Cardiomyopathy; Autoimmune disease; Pathogenesis.