Chagas disease: the challenge of polyparasitism?

Abstract

The debilitating zoonosis Chagas disease (CD) is caused by infection with the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. One century after its discovery, a curative agent remains elusive. Immune evasion by T. cruzi results in a poorly controlled infection in the host, which can end in either sudden death or a fatal chronic disease that often eventuates after years of an asymptomatic infection. Polyparasitism or mixed/concurrent infections occur more often than not and contribute to the high degree of variability observed across both disease progression and the success of therapeutic interventions. A thorough understanding of the effects of polyparasitism on CD is essential for improving the likelihood of containing, treating, and eventually eliminating CD.

Keywords: Chagas disease; Trypanosoma cruzi; drug discovery; polyparasitism.