Kisses kisses disease has permanently allowed the United States

A dangerous infection, sometimes fatal, by kissing insects is propagated regularly in America. In a recent article, researchers say that Chagas disease is endemic in certain parts of the United States and is probably there to stay.

Scientists from Florida, Texas and California have argued in an article published last month in the journal emerging infectious diseases. Citing evidence of infected humans, animals and kisses of kisses, they argue that Chagas established a persistent presence in the country, although low levels. Correctly recognizing that Chagas is endemic, they say, will allow us to better fight infectious disease, which can cause chronic heart problems if they are not treated.

Kisses insect disease

Chagas is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma CruziAnd the infection spreads by various species of kisses of kisses or triatomins. As their nickname suggests, kissing insects nourished by sucking blood around the mouth of a host (or sometimes eyes). Infects usually infect people via the poop they leave behind a bite injury.

People infected with the parasite can first feel an acute phase of pseudo-grippal disease, after which the infection enters a chronic phase if it is not treated. Most people avoid any symptoms in either phase, but up to a third of people with chronic Chagas disease will eventually experience serious health problems, such as a widen heart and colon. People can also die of heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest following the infection. It can take years, and even decades, these chronic symptoms appear.

It is believed that around 8 million people in the world would have chagas, including 280,000 in the United States. Most of these American cases have been taken elsewhere, especially in certain parts of Central and South America where T. Cruzi is circulating locally. But the researchers present evidence that the parasite probably made a comfortable house in the southern United States.

Why should Chagas be considered endemic

To start, it was probably acquired locally (indigenous) of human cases of documented chagas in at least eight states, including Texas, California and Florida. These cases are generally found in people with no travel history or other risk factor relevant for catching the parasite outside the region.

Researchers also note that the southern states of the United States are known to have several species of kisses insects which can theoretically transport and transmit the T. Cruzi Parasite, including species that will regularly invade human dwellings.

And studies have detected the parasite circulating among the populations of local kisses. Last July, for example, the researchers discovered that a third of the insects of kisses collected in Florida wore the parasite. The parasite was also commonly found in local fauna, captive animals and pets (dogs in particular), providing a reservoir to survive the environment.

All these data bits together indicate a single conclusion. “”T. Cruzi And the ecological conditions that support its transmission cycles occur naturally in the southern half of the United States, “wrote the researchers.

A threat of low level but persistent

The only silver lining is that Chagas is probably hypoendemic in the south of the United States, say the researchers, which means that it is only present in low levels. But as things arise now, we are very blind against.

Chagas disease in people is not a national condition, so doctors in most places are not forced to report cases to their health services, the researchers stress. It is notified in some of the states where local cases have been found, but not all (in California, only two counties need notice).

Although Chagas may not be such a huge problem in the United States as in other parts of the Americas, classifying it as endemic will allow scientists to better follow its distribution and range, according to researchers. Improved awareness of the disease will also allow infected people to more easily obtain the right care they need before their infection turns into something more serious and potentially fatal.