Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chagas disease heart damage in dogs from State of Mexico
By Barbabosa-Pliego, Alberto et al.·Published in The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene·2009·Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Trypanosoma cruzi circulating in the southern region of the State of Mexico (Zumpahuacan) are pathogenic: a dog model.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in the southern region of Mexico were found to have Chagas disease caused by a specific strain of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Infected dogs showed symptoms like heart problems, including changes in heart rhythm and swelling of the heart's chambers. Some dogs experienced severe heart issues that could lead to death. The study highlights the presence of this dangerous parasite in the area, indicating that pet owners should be aware of the risks and symptoms of Chagas disease in dogs.
People also search for: dog heart problems Chagas disease · symptoms of Chagas disease in dogs · Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs
Abstract
Here we describe clinical and pathologic evidence of Chagas disease caused in dogs by circulating Trypanosoma cruzi from a newly recognized endemic area in Mexico. We show that the Zumpahuacan isolate, although less virulent than the Sylvio-X10 reference strain that caused acute myocarditis and death, was pathogenic in dogs. Dogs infected with the Zumpahuacan isolate exhibited electrocardiographic alterations, left- and right-ventricle dilation, and hydropericardium. Histologically, diffused perimysial and endomysial lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and amastigote nests were noted in Zumpahuacan-infected dogs. These findings suggest that the risk of T. cruzi infection and Chagas disease is present in the State of Mexico, and further research is needed to identify the T. cruzi bio-types circulating in southern State of Mexico.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19706902/