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Clark EH, Bern C. Chagas disease in the immunocompromised host. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024:00001432-990000000-00157. [PMID: 38963802 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000001035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To highlight recent advances in our understanding of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in immunocompromised individuals, a condition that is increasingly recognized as populations shift and use of immunosuppressive medications becomes more commonplace. RECENT FINDINGS Chagas disease screening programs should include people at risk for both Chagas disease and immunocompromise, e.g. people who have resided for ≥6 months in endemic Latin America who have an immunocompromising condition such as HIV or who are planned to start an immunosuppressive medication regimen. The goal of identifying such individuals is to allow management strategies that will reduce their risk of T. cruzi reactivation disease. For people with HIV-T. cruzi coinfection, strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy is important and antitrypanosomal treatment is urgent in the setting of symptomatic reactivation. People at risk for T. cruzi reactivation due to immunosuppression caused by advanced hematologic conditions or postsolid organ transplantation should be monitored via T. cruzi qPCR and treated with preemptive antitrypanosomal therapy if rising parasite load on serial specimens indicates reactivation. Reduction of the immunosuppressive regimen, if possible, is important. SUMMARY Chronic Chagas disease can lead to severe disease in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with advanced HIV (CD4+ < 200 cells/mm3) or peri-transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva H Clark
- Departments of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, and Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Caryn Bern
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, Clifornia, USA
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Clark EH, Messenger LA, Whitman JD, Bern C. Chagas disease in immunocompromised patients. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0009923. [PMID: 38546225 PMCID: PMC11237761 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00099-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYAs Chagas disease remains prevalent in the Americas, it is important that healthcare professionals and researchers are aware of the screening, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment recommendations for the populations of patients they care for and study. Management of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in immunocompromised hosts is challenging, particularly because, regardless of antitrypanosomal treatment status, immunocompromised patients with Chagas disease are at risk for T. cruzi reactivation, which can be lethal. Evidence-based practices to prevent and manage T. cruzi reactivation vary depending on the type of immunocompromise. Here, we review available data describing Chagas disease epidemiology, testing, and management practices for various populations of immunocompromised individuals, including people with HIV and patients undergoing solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva H Clark
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Louisa A Messenger
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Whitman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Caryn Bern
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
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Czech MM, Nayak AK, Subramanian K, Suarez JF, Ferguson J, Jacobson KB, Montgomery SP, Chang M, Bae GH, Raghavan SS, Wang H, Miranti E, Budvytiene I, Shoor SM, Banaei N, Rieger K, Deresinski S, Holubar M, Blackburn BG. Reactivation of Chagas Disease in a Patient With an Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofaa642. [PMID: 33575423 PMCID: PMC7863873 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactivation of Chagas disease has been described in immunosuppressed patients, but there is a paucity of literature describing reactivation in patients on immunosuppressive therapies for the treatment of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. We describe a case of Chagas disease reactivation in a woman taking azathioprine and prednisone for limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). Reactivation manifested as indurated and erythematous cutaneous nodules. Sequencing of a skin biopsy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of Chagas disease. She was treated with benznidazole with clinical improvement in the cutaneous lesions. However, her clinical course was complicated and included disseminated CMV disease and subsequent septic shock due to bacteremia. Our case and review of the literature highlight that screening for Chagas disease should be strongly considered for patients who will undergo immunosuppression for treatment of autoimmune disease if epidemiologically indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Czech
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ashwin K Nayak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kavitha Subramanian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jose F Suarez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jessica Ferguson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Karen Blake Jacobson
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Susan P Montgomery
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Gordon H Bae
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Shyam S Raghavan
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hannah Wang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Eugenia Miranti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Indre Budvytiene
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Stanford Health Care, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Stanford Mervyn Shoor
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Niaz Banaei
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Stanford Health Care, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kerri Rieger
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California, USA.,Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Stan Deresinski
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Marisa Holubar
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Brian G Blackburn
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Chagas disease reactivation in rheumatologic patients: association with immunosuppressive therapy and humoral response. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:2955-2963. [PMID: 33438080 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05581-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Evidence for Chagas disease reactivation (CDR) in rheumatologic patients under rheumatologic treatments (RTs) is scarce. To screen and follow-up patients with rheumatic diseases and concomitant Chagas disease under RT to detect CDR and to describe a possible relationship between CDR and specific RT. An observational, longitudinal, prospective, consecutive study was carried out between 2018 and 2020. Included patients were evaluated during the follow-up for clinical and laboratorial manifestations of CDR. Direct blood parasitological examination (Strout method) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed to diagnose CDR. The dynamic of anti-T. cruzi-specific antibodies was also assessed by IHA and ELISA (total IgG and Anti-SAPA). Fifty-one patients were included (86% women). Rheumatoid arthritis was the predominant disease (57%). Classic DMARDs (86.3%) and corticosteroids (61%) were the most frequent RT. CDR was developed in 6 patients (11.7%), exhibiting both positive Strout and PCR. Symptomatic reactivation of CD (fever, asthenia, arthralgias, myalgias) occurred in two patients who had previously been diagnosed with it. Regardless of the different RT, all patients who experienced CDR had previously received more than ≥ 20 mg/day of prednisone equivalent. Despite immunosuppression, patients with CDR exhibited increased levels of specific anti-T. cruzi and anti-SAPA antibodies, which decreased after anti-parasitic treatment. CDR is possible in rheumatologic patients, especially after receiving high doses of corticosteroids. Since CDR symptoms may mimic rheumatic disease activity, monitoring of Chagas disease is highly recommended before, during and after immunosuppression. Key Points • Chagas disease reactivation (CDR) in the context of rheumatological treatment was associated to high doses of corticosteroids. • CDR was associated with an increase in anti-T. cruzi antibodies despite the immunosuppressive treatment. • Suspecting and anticipating CDR is mandatory in this patient population to diagnose and treat it.
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Shu Kurizky P, Dos Santos Neto LL, Barbosa Aires R, Henrique da Mota LM, Martins Gomes C. Opportunistic tropical infections in immunosuppressed patients. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2020; 34:101509. [PMID: 32299676 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2020.101509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are associated with severe morbidity, and represent an impactful health and economic burden worldwide. The treatment of these diseases can include a course with detrimental side effects. Immunosuppression increases the risk of opportunistic infections, but in some cases, the abrupt discontinuation of these medications can result in immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Special attention must be directed to endemic tropical infections, such as leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, malaria, arbovirosis, yellow fever, leprosy, paracoccidioidomycosis, disseminated strongyloidiasis, and ectoparasitosis. These endemic diseases of developing countries can be considered as possible emerging diseases in developed regions partially because of environmental factors and migration. In the present article, we aim to review the evidence-based aspects of the most important opportunistic tropical infections in immunosuppressed patients. We also aim to review the important aspects of vaccination, chemical prophylaxis, and treatment for these infections in people with medication-induced immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Shu Kurizky
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, SGAN 605. Av. L2 Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
| | - Leopoldo Luiz Dos Santos Neto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, SGAN 605. Av. L2 Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Barbosa Aires
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, SGAN 605. Av. L2 Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
| | - Licia Maria Henrique da Mota
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, SGAN 605. Av. L2 Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
| | - Ciro Martins Gomes
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, SGAN 605. Av. L2 Norte, CEP: 70910-900, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
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González-Ramos J, Alonso-Pacheco M, Mora-Rillo M, Herranz-Pinto P. Need to Screen for Chagas Disease and Strongyloides Infestation in Non-endemic Countries Prior to Treatment With Biologics. ACTAS DERMO-SIFILIOGRAFICAS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.adengl.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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