Types of Endemic Diseases
An endemic disease refers a pathological condition entrenched and perpetuated within a population group, a country or continent without any external influences. Regions endemic for certain diseases such as malaria, African sleeping sickness or Chagas disease have pathogenic organisms such as a virus, bacteria or parasite that are the causative agents for the disease, and a natural vector or reservoir such as a fly which transmits and spreads the disease.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Chagas Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 7.6 million people are infected with Chagas disease 1. Chagas disease is caused by an infection with Trypanosma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that is transmitted via the feces of the triatomine insect, a natural vector for the parasite, Trypanosma cruzi. Chagas disease is endemic in Mexico, South and Central America 1. Chagas disease is divided into three stages: an acute phase that lasts up to 90 days and is mostly asymptomatic; an asymptomatic intermediate phase; and a chronic phase that appears 10 to 20 years after the initial infection. The chronic phase of Chagas disease is associated with congestive heart failure, and about 20 to 30 percent of individuals affected with Chagas disease will develop heart problems. Antitrypanosomal drugs such as benznidazole and nifurtimox are prescribedorthe treatment of Chagas disease.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 7.6 million people are infected with Chagas disease 1.
- The chronic phase of Chagas disease is associated with congestive heart failure, and about 20 to 30 percent of individuals affected with Chagas disease will develop heart problems.
Malaria
Drugs That Cause Peripheral Neuropathy
Learn More
Maralia is an infectious disease endemic to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasites belonging to the Plasmodium genus and are transmitted via the bite of an infected female mosquito. According to Tulane University, about 200 to 500 million people are infected with malaria and about 1.5 to 2.7 million people die each year from malaria infections 2. Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents for malaria infections, destroy red blood cells in the spleen and liver, leading to anemia and death if left untreated. Drugs such as chloroquinone, proguanil, malarone and lariam are prescribed for the treatment of malaria.
- Maralia is an infectious disease endemic to Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
- Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents for malaria infections, destroy red blood cells in the spleen and liver, leading to anemia and death if left untreated.
African Sleeping Sickness
African sleeping sickening is a medical condition caused by protozoan parasites belonging the Trypanosoma genus. These parasites are transmitted via the bite of an infected tsetse fly. According to the World Health Organization, African sleeping sickness is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, and the disease is caused by two different species of the Trypanosoma genus 3. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense causes 90 percent of all reported African sleeping sickness and is endemic in west and central Africa. Trypanosoma brcei rhodesiense causes less than 10 percent of all reported cases of African sleeping sickness and is endemic in east and southern Africa. The initial phase of infection is characterized by headaches, a fever, joint paint and sweating. During the second phase of infection, the parasite invades the central nervous system and causes symptoms such as confusion, disturbance of the sleep cycle and poor coordination. Drugs such as pentamidine, suramin, melasporpol and eflornithine are prescribed for the treatment of African sleeping sickness.
- African sleeping sickening is a medical condition caused by protozoan parasites belonging the Trypanosoma genus.
- Trypanosoma brcei rhodesiense causes less than 10 percent of all reported cases of African sleeping sickness and is endemic in east and southern Africa.
Related Articles
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Trypanosomiasis, American (Chagas Disease)
- Tulane University: Malaria
- World Health Organization: African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)
- Bern C, Kjos S, Yabsley MJ, Montgomery SP. Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas' Disease in the United States. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2011;24(4):655–681. doi:10.1128/CMR.00005-11
- Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Putting Infection Dynamics at the Heart of Chagas Disease. Trends Parasitol. 2016;32(11):899–911. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2016.08.009
- Andrade DV, Gollob KJ, Dutra WO. Acute chagas disease: new global challenges for an old neglected disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014;8(7):e3010. Published 2014 Jul 31. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003010
- Bonney KM. Chagas disease in the 21st century: a public health success or an emerging threat?. Parasite. 2014;21:11. doi:10.1051/parasite/2014012
- Bonney KM, Engman DM. Autoimmune pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease: looking back, looking ahead. Am J Pathol. 2015;185(6):1537–1547. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.12.023
- Machado FS, Jelicks LA, Kirchhoff LV, et al. Chagas heart disease: report on recent developments. Cardiol Rev. 2012;20(2):53–65. doi:10.1097/CRD.0b013e31823efde2
- Coura JR, Borges-pereira J. Chronic phase of Chagas disease: why should it be treated? A comprehensive review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2011;106(6):641-5.
- Rassi A Jr, Marin JA Neto, Rassi A. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: a review of the main pathogenic mechanisms and the efficacy of aetiological treatment following the BENznidazole Evaluation for Interrupting Trypanosomiasis (BENEFIT) trial. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2017;112(3):224–235. doi:10.1590/0074-02760160334
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chagas Disease: Detailed FAQs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated April 8, 2019.
- Bocchi EA. Heart failure in South America. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2013;9(2):147–156. doi:10.2174/1573403X11309020007
- Salm A, Gertsch J. Cultural perception of triatomine bugs and Chagas disease in Bolivia: a cross-sectional field study. Parasit Vectors. 2019;12(1):291. Published 2019 Jun 10. doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3546-0
- Cevallos AM, Hernández R. Chagas' disease: pregnancy and congenital transmission. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:401864. doi:10.1155/2014/401864
- Ries J, Komarek A, Gottschalk J, et al. A Case of Possible Chagas Transmission by Blood Transfusion in Switzerland. Transfus Med Hemother. 2016;43(6):415–417. doi:10.1159/000446264
- Rocha A, De meneses AC, Da silva AM, et al. Pathology of patients with Chagas' disease and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1994;50(3):261-8.
- Balouz V, Agüero F, Buscaglia CA. Chagas Disease Diagnostic Applications: Present Knowledge and Future Steps. Adv Parasitol. 2017;97:1–45. doi:10.1016/bs.apar.2016.10.001
- Sánchez-Montalvá A, Salvador F, Rodríguez-Palomares J, et al. Chagas Cardiomyopathy: Usefulness of EKG and Echocardiogram in a Non-Endemic Country. PLoS One. 2016;11(6):e0157597. Published 2016 Jun 16. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157597
- Sales Junior PA, Molina I, Fonseca Murta SM, et al. Experimental and Clinical Treatment of Chagas Disease: A Review. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017;97(5):1289–1303. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0761
- Meymandi S, Hernandez S, Park S, Sanchez DR, Forsyth C. Treatment of Chagas Disease in the United States. Curr Treat Options Infect Dis. 2018;10(3):373–388. doi:10.1007/s40506-018-0170-z
- Torrico F, Gascon J, Ortiz L, et al. Treatment of adult chronic indeterminate Chagas disease with benznidazole and three E1224 dosing regimens: a proof-of-concept, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(4):419-430.
- Reithinger R, Tarleton RL, Urbina JA, Kitron U, Gürtler RE. Eliminating Chagas disease: challenges and a roadmap. BMJ. 2009;338:b1283. Published 2009 Apr 14. doi:10.1136/bmj.b1283
- Bern C. Chagas' Disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. July 30, 2015;373:456–66. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1410150.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chagas Disease: Detailed FAQs. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated December 19, 2017.
- Gali WL, Sarabanda AV, Baggio JM, et al. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators for Treatment of Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Chagas' Heart Disease: Comparison With a Control Group Treated With Amiodarone Alone. Europace. May 2014;16(5):674–80. doi:10.1093/europace/eut422.
- Kirchhoff LV, Rassi A. Chagas Disease and African Trypanosomiasis. In: Kasper D, Fauci A, Hauser S, Longo D, Jameson J, Loscalzo J. eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2015.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Chagas Disease. Mayo Clinic. Updated October 3, 2017.
Resources
Writer Bio
Adam Scarano began writing as a freelancer in 2010 focusing on the fields of graphic design and media. He graduated from the Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in digital media.