Risk factors and cardiac characteristics in dogs infected with Trypanosoma cruzi | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we review Trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, which is caused by the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is the most common cause of infectious myocarditis in humans. The primary means by which T. cruzi is transmitted is via introduction of feces from triatomine insects -; otherwise known as “Kissing” bugs -; into bug bites or mucous membranes, or ingestion of the bugs/feces themselves. It can also be transmitted from mother to fetus via the placenta. Not all humans or dogs that develop infection with T. cruzi experience clinical signs. Those that do may experience severe signs such as sudden death or chronic heart failure. The most common geographic region for T. cruzi infection in the United States is the southwest, particularly Texas, in part due to an abundant wild animal reservoir. Seroprevalence has been reported as far east as Virginia and Georgia.