[Chagasic cardiopathy in endemic area versus sporadically infected patients].

The aim of the study was to compare the degree of cardiac compromise between two patient groups infected with Chagas' disease, A) those permanently residing in endemic areas and B) those sporadically exposed to the parasite and indirectly (non-vector) infected (transfusion, mother-to-child transmission, etc.). The results show that patients sporadically infected presented a lower prevalence of cardiopathy, and when they do present cardiopathy, there is a lower prevalence of dilation when compared to infected patients residing in endemic areas. Also, the role of the parasite, number of reinfections, immunopathogenic mechanisms, quality of life and occupation are considered in the study of disease progression in each patient.