- 20-40% of infected persons develop chronic debilitating disease 10-40 years after infection
- When the parasite reemerges from the dormant state, it usually lodges in the heart causing serious and irreversible damage (cardiomegaly)
- Chagas disease is the leading cause of heart disease in South America
- Rhythm abnormalities can cause sudden death and a dilated heart cannot pump blood well
- Those who die usually have congestive heart failure
- Mega esophagus and mega colon may occur causing problems digesting food and weight loss
Tissue from Infected Cardiac Muscle