BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a significant public health problem in the Americas, despite efforts to decrease the number of new cases since 1990. Etiologic treatment of the disease's chronic phase is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the strongest studies to evaluate the drugs used in the acute and chronic disease phases, with emphasis on benznidazole. METHODS: A Medline search using the keywords 'Chagas disease' and 'treatment,' with no date limitations, was performed. RESULTS: Study methods in completed trials varied greatly, with none being a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The only trial using these methods is still ongoing. The treatment in acute phase is the major indication, but during chronic phase doubts still remain. CONCLUSION: Only patients in the acute phase of Chagas disease (whatever their age; including children and adolescents) who are treated have good outcomes, although the criteria defining 'cure' remain controversial.
BACKGROUND:Chagas disease is a significant public health problem in the Americas, despite efforts to decrease the number of new cases since 1990. Etiologic treatment of the disease's chronic phase is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the strongest studies to evaluate the drugs used in the acute and chronic disease phases, with emphasis on benznidazole. METHODS: A Medline search using the keywords 'Chagas disease' and 'treatment,' with no date limitations, was performed. RESULTS: Study methods in completed trials varied greatly, with none being a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The only trial using these methods is still ongoing. The treatment in acute phase is the major indication, but during chronic phase doubts still remain. CONCLUSION: Only patients in the acute phase of Chagas disease (whatever their age; including children and adolescents) who are treated have good outcomes, although the criteria defining 'cure' remain controversial.
Authors: Antonio R L Teixeira; Mariana M Hecht; Maria C Guimaro; Alessandro O Sousa; Nadjar Nitz Journal: Clin Microbiol Rev Date: 2011-07 Impact factor: 26.132
Authors: Ganesha Rai; Ahmed A Sayed; Wendy A Lea; Hans F Luecke; Harinath Chakrapani; Stefanie Prast-Nielsen; Ajit Jadhav; William Leister; Min Shen; James Inglese; Christopher P Austin; Larry Keefer; Elias S J Arnér; Anton Simeonov; David J Maloney; David L Williams; Craig J Thomas Journal: J Med Chem Date: 2009-10-22 Impact factor: 7.446
Authors: Antonio R L Teixeira; Clever Gomes; Nadjar Nitz; Alessandro O Sousa; Rozeneide M Alves; Maria C Guimaro; Ciro Cordeiro; Francisco M Bernal; Ana C Rosa; Jiri Hejnar; Eduardo Leonardecz; Mariana M Hecht Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2011-03-29