Autochthonous Chagas disease in the southern United States: A case report of suspected residential and military exposures

Abstract

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can result in a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. Here, we present the epidemiologic details of a suspected locally acquired transmission case originating from the southern United States. This is the first published report of Chagas disease in a young, healthy United States veteran with repeat triatomine exposures in Arizona. Military personnel and Arizona residents should be aware of their Chagas disease transmission risks.

Keywords: Trypanosoma cruzi; Arizona; Chagas disease; military medicine; neglected tropical diseases; trypanosomiasis.