Browsing by Subject "Trypanosoma cruzi"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Anticipating the side effects of benznidazole: HLA-B*35 and patch test
    (Elsevier, 2024-04-14) Vázquez, Cristina; García-Vázquez, Elisa; Carrilero, Bartolomé; Muro, Manuel; Sánchez-Guerrero, Inmaculada; González López, Rosana; Franco, Fuensanta; Segovia, Manuel; Medicina
    ABSTRACT: Introduction: Treatment of Chagas disease frequently causes distress to patients due to a high incidence of adverse effects. Different preemptive tests have been researched to prevent these effects and to allow focus to be given to certain predisposed patients. Benznidazole is the most prescribed Chagas disease treatment in Spain. In this work, we analyzed the genetic markers HLA-B*35 allele group and HLA-B*35:05 allele specifically, as well as an allergy patch test, as benznidazole’s most frequent adverse effects are cutaneous. Methods: HLA-B intermediate-resolution genotyping was performed followed by a high-resolution level analysis. Cutaneous allergies were tested using strips impregnated with a mixture of benznidazole and placed on the upper back of patients before starting treatment. Results: In our sample of more than 400 patients, there was almost no relationship between any kind of side effect and either of the HLA-B alleles studied. The patch testing was quickly discarded as a preemptive test due to its low sensitivity (16.7%). Conclusion: In conclusion, we were unable to replicate and corroborate genetic markers identified by other groups and there is currently no test that can anticipate the adverse effects of benznidazole, therefore, more investigation should be carried out in this field.
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    The relationship between esophageal cancer, chagasic megaesophagus and HPV: myths, tales or reality?
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2018) Munari, Fernanda Franco; Cruvinel Carloni, Adriana; Sammartino Mariano, Vânia; Syrjanen, Kari; Reis, Rui Manuel; Longatto Filho, Adhemar
    A supposed role for persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) etiology has been suggested by a number of studies. Concomitantly, megaesophagus induced by the Trypanosoma cruzi cellcycle activity also shows a potential association with ESCC. This review discusses esophageal cancer and the potential association between chagasic megaesophagus and HPV as risk factors for ESCC development.
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    Tolerance and adherence of patients with chronic chagas disease treated with benznidazole
    (Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 2023) Vázquez, Cristina; García-Vázquez, Elisa; Carrilero, Bartolomé; Simón, Marina; Franco, Fuensanta; Iborra, María Asunción; Gil-Gallardo, Luis Javier; Segovia, Manuel; Medicina
    Background: Chagas disease (CD) treatment is commonly associated with a high incidence of adverse effects. It is crucial to study and update these adverse effects to improve the existing knowledge of which drugs to use and to clarify the information presented to patients. Methods: We analyzed the adverse effects of benznidazole in two cohorts of patients: a large retrospective study and a small prospective study. Results: This large retrospective study described the most and least common adverse effects in our area and characterized our Chagas disease population. This prospective study, along with a close follow-up of the treatment, detected more adverse effects and enhanced the patients’ perception of the disease and treatment. Conclusions: This information is important for preventing non-medical-related withdrawals and for removing baseless fears. Better knowledge of patients could help us provide better care.
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    Usefulness of PCR for monitoring benznidazole response in patients with chronic Chagas’ disease: a prospective study in a non-disease-endemic country
    (Oxford University Press, 2010-06-11) Murcia, Laura; Carrilero, Bartolome; Muñoz, M. Jose; Iborra, M. Asunción; Segovia, Manuel; Genética y Microbiología
    Objectives: This prospective study focused on the evaluation of antiparasitic therapy in chronic Chagas’ disease, monitored by PCR. Patients and methods: One hundred and eighty-one patients, all seropositive for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, underwent specific chemotherapy with benznidazole. Twelve patients were classified as young (2–19 years), 122 patients were classified as adults (20–39 years) and 47 patients were classified as seniors (≥40 years). In total, 116 (64%) were asymptomatic and 65 (36%) were symptomatic. Patients were monitored for 90, 150 and 420 days after treatment by PCR and serology. Results: Before treatment, 68% had a positive PCR result. PCR positivity was significantly more frequent in patients aged 2–19 years (P¼0.0007) and in short-term immigrants (P¼0.0076). No differences in PCR sensitivity were observed between samples of patients with chronic symptomatic or indeterminate Chagas’ disease. All patients presented an early conversion of PCR results 90 days post-treatment. However, at the end of the follow-up period PCR had become positive in four patients (4 out of 58 patients; 6.9%) who had strictly adhered to the treatment and in one who did not complete the treatment. Only one patient showed an alternating PCR during follow-up. Conclusions: We conclude that PCR is a useful tool for the early detection of parasite susceptibility to benznidazole and for the post-treatment parasitological follow-up of patients with chronic Chagas’ disease.