Malcolm EL, Saunders AB, Vitt JP, Boutet BG, Hamer SA. Antiparasitic treatment with itraconazole and amiodarone in 2 dogs with severe, symptomatic Chagas cardiomyopathy.
J Vet Intern Med 2022;
36:1100-1105. [PMID:
35388923 PMCID:
PMC9151465 DOI:
10.1111/jvim.16422]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas cardiomyopathy, caused by the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is characterized by arrhythmias, myocardial damage, heart failure, and sudden death. We describe 2 dogs with severe, symptomatic Chagas cardiomyopathy characterized by myocardial dysfunction and electrocardiographic abnormalities that were managed with a combination of cardiac medications and antiparasitic treatment with itraconazole and amiodarone. Both dogs died suddenly within 6 months of diagnosis. These cases highlight the need for early detection of Chagas disease in dogs and continued research to develop effective antiparasitic treatment protocols.
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