Mónica L. Holguín-Barrera, Departamento de Investigación, Hospital Regional de la Orinoquía, Yopal, Colombia
Lorena García-Agudelo, Departamento de Investigación, Hospital Regional de la Orinoquía, Yopal, Colombia
Ledmar J. Vargas-Rodríguez, Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario San Rafael, Tunja. Colombia
Bryan F. Vacca, Departamento de Investigación, Hospital Regional de la Orinoquía, Yopal, Colombia
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by a hemoflagellate protozoan called Trypanosoma cruzi. We describe the clinical presentation of an acute outbreak of Chagas disease by oral transmission in a group of 3 cousins aged 10, 14, 16 years, with clinical picture of 18 days of fever peaks at 38 °C and moderate epigastric abdominal pain. The maternal grandmother was positive for Chagas disease, with no other history. On physical examination tachycardic, the rest without alteration. Paraclinical findings on admission: elevated CRP and negative thick drop. At 24 hours, positive Trypanosoma cruzi antibody in the 3 patients and positive febrile antigen for Proteus ox-19 1/320 in the youngest. Acute Chagas disease in pediatrics is usually asymptomatic; however, it is evident that it can rapidly progress to chagasic myocarditis and severe thrombocytopenia, increasing considerably the risk of cardiogenic shock, cardiac decompensation, and even death.
Keywords: Chagas disease. Oral transmission. Trypanosoma cruzi. Communicable diseases. Pediatric population. Chagasic myocarditis.
