The senseless orphanage of Chagas disease

Abstract

Introduction: Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Endemic in 21 American countries, there are ~7 million people infected, of which 14,000 die every year. Despite this burden, Chagas remains an orphan disease as it mainly affects poor communities with low economic and political power.

Areas covered: There are two drugs available to treat the infection, but both have safety and efficacy issues. Investment in new treatments and other control measures has been historically neglected. This trend is changing and there are novel perspectives to put an end to this senseless orphanage. Research and development agenda of new therapies, diagnostic tools and biomarkers have moved forward during the last decade; and patients associations have been active in promoting awareness of the disease all along. Besides, the WHO recently declared April 14th as the ‘World Chagas disease day’, which will increase the visibility of the disease and attract attention internationally.

Expert opinion: Efforts must focus on the prevention of new infections, but also in the management of the millions already chronically infected. This will require an integral approach where increasing the number of trained health workers and generalizing access to diagnosis and treatment will be fundamental.