About Chagas’ Disease
New local data on Chagas positives
What is Chagas’ Disease?
Also called American trypanosomiasis (tri-PAN-o-so-MY-a-sis), Chagas’ disease is an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is estimated that as many as 11 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If unrecognized and untreated, even silent infection is life long and can be life threatening.
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AABB Biovigilance Network state-by-state testing results
Chagas’ Disease Fact Sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chagas’ Disease blood screening Fact Sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Fact Sheets Updated December 13, 2006
Enfermedad de Chagas (en Español)
Professional Articles
Leiby et al Trypanosoma cruzi in Los Angeles and Miami blood donors: impact of evolving donor demographics on seroprevalence and implications for transfusion transmission. Transfusion. 2002 May;42(5):549-55. Abstract
Chagas Disease After Organ Transplantation --- Los Angeles, California, 2006 MMWR July 28, 2006 / 55(29);798-800.
Chagas Disease After Organ Transplantation --- United States, 2001 MMWR, March 15, 2002 / 51(10);210-2.
Kirchhoff et al. Transfusion-associated Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) in Mexico: implications for transfusion medicine in the United States, Transfusion, 2006 February; 46: 298-304. Abstract
Chagas’ Disease, A Tropical Disease, Now in the U.S. (New England Journal of Medicine, Aug. 26, 1993). Includes details about pathologic and clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.
Chagas’ Disease. Can We Stop the Deaths? (New England Journal of Medicine, Aug. 24, 2006). A Perspective article by James H. Maguire, M.D., M.P.H.
Articles in the Popular Press
Rare Disease Reported in Transplant Recipients (Associated Press, July 27, 2006)
Blood Banks Push for Better Safeguards (Associated Press, July 3, 2006)
Chagas’ Disease Resources
Below are sites offering additional information about Chagas’ disease
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization
Pan American Health Organization. Select the "Topics List" tab and scroll down to find Chagas' Disease under "Communicable Diseases"
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Product Information
News Release Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Receives FDA Clearance for First Blood-Screening Test for Chagas’ Disease About the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics T.cruzi ELISA Test System
ORTHO® Summit Processor
Resources for News Media
News release: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Receives FDA Clearance for First Blood-Screening Test for Chagas’ Disease
Experts on Chagas’ Disease
Bar Chart: Blood Donors Testing Positive for Exposure to Chagas' Disease (pdf)
Learn About Blood Donation
Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. But only 5% of the eligible US population donates blood in any given year. Healthy donors are the only source of blood. Currently there is no substitute. To find out how you can help or to find a donation center, visit www.givelife.org
For up-to-date professional educational materials about Chagas’ Disease, please visit www.Ortho-WIRE.com