Can Chagas cause megacolon?
After acute infestation with the Chagas disease parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, some patients who are serologically positive develop chronic megacolon and megaesophagus, whereas others are symptom-free.
Why does Chagas disease cause megacolon?
Chagasic megacolon is the second most frequent cause of manifestation of the digestive forms of Chagas disease (trypanosoma cruzi parasitosis),1 characterized by progressive pseudo-occlusive symptoms or chronic constipation, caused by an alteration in the functioning of the colonic wall musculature, as a result of the …
Is Chagas disease endemic in the US?
Chagas disease is a life-threatening parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It is endemic through much of the Americas, from the southern United States to Argentina and Chile.
What causes megacolon in humans?
Infection. One of the most common causes of megacolon is infection. This includes bacterial infections such as Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter, as well as parasitic infections such as Trypanosoma cruzi (commonly known as Chagas disease) and Entamoeba histolytica.
Do people get megacolon?
Toxic megacolon is rare. It’s a widening of the large intestine that develops within a few days and can be life-threatening. It can be a complication of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease).
How common is Chagas disease in USA?
More than 5 million people worldwide have Chagas disease. In the United States, there are estimated to be at least 300,000 cases of chronic Chagas disease among people originally from countries of Latin America where Chagas disease is endemic.
Is Chagas disease in Florida?
Infected triatomine bugs and infected reservoirs, such as raccoons, have been identified in Florida. However, the risk of local transmission to people in Florida is low. There have been cases of local transmission in Texas, Tennessee, California, and Louisiana.
How do you shrink a megacolon?
Treatment
- Medicines. Treating the original condition or infection may help reduce toxic megacolon.
- Bowel rest and bowel decompression. These treatments remove gas and substances filling the colon.
- IV fluids. You may be given an IV of fluids and electrolytes to help nourish your body and prevent dehydration.
- Surgery.
How do you know if you have megacolon?
Megacolon can be diagnosed by observing the size of the colon on an abdominal x-ray scan. Most physicians agree that a colon diameter greater than 12 centimeters at the cecum should be classified as megacolon.
What does megacolon feel like?
Common symptoms of megacolon include constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain or tenderness. In more severe cases, hard fecal masses called fecalomas may also be present. Depending on the cause, megacolon may have additional symptoms.
Can your colon shrink?
An adaptive gut The intestines of a starved fly or human, conversely, will shrink. This process is reversible and repeatable, allowing organisms to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
What causes megacolon in Central and South America?
Megacolon can be associated with Chagas disease. In Central and South America, the most common incidence of chronic megacolon is that observed in about 20% of patients affected with Chagas disease. Chagas is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellate protozoan transmitted by the feces of a hematophagous insect, the assassin bug, when it feeds.
Where can you find Chagas disease in the world?
People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Which is the leading cause of toxic megacolon?
The prevalence is about the same for both sexes. In patients with HIV/AIDS, cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is the leading cause of toxic megacolon and emergency laparotomy. CMV may also increase the risk of toxic megacolon in non-HIV/AIDS patients with IBD. Megacolon can be associated with Chagas disease.
Are there any symptomatic treatments for Chagas disease?
Symptomatic treatment may help people who have cardiac or gastrointestinal problems from Chagas disease. For example, pacemakers and medications for irregular heartbeats may be life saving for some patients with chronic cardiac disease. I plan to travel to a rural area of Latin America that might have Chagas disease.