Clinical and serological evolution in chronic Chagas disease patients in a 4-year pharmacotherapy follow-up: a preliminary study

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Monica Coelho Andrade, Maria de Fatima Oliveira, Aparecida Tiemi Nagao-Dias, Ivo Castelo Branco Coelho, Darlan da Silva Candido, Erlane Chaves Freitas, Helena Lutescia Luna Coelho, Fernando Schemelzer Moraes Bezerra
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2013
• Subjects: Benznidazole; Chagas disease; Pharmacotherapy follow-up; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-1646-2013; https://doaj.org/article/7c6a147ddbab45738bbe2511ff369660

Introduction The role of trypanocidal therapy in the chronic phase of Chagas disease remains controversial. Methods A total of 13 patients with chronic Chagas disease were treated with benznidazole (5mg/kg/day/60 days) and surveyed via antibody measurement and conventional electrocardiogram over the course of 4 years. Results The antibody titers were significantly reduced after 4 years (p<0.05). Most of the patients showed maintenance of the initial clinical picture (electrocardiographic), with the exception of 4 cases. Conclusions Although trypanocidal therapy in the chronic phase of Chagas disease was of limited effectiveness, we believe that it is beneficial in treating these patients.