Trypanosoma cruzi infection… 2024 JAVMA article
Title: Trypanosoma cruzi infection diagnosed in dogs in nonendemic areas and results from a survey suggest a need for increased Chagas disease awareness in North America
Authors: Emily A. Gavic, Sarah E. Achen, Phillip R. Fox, Eduardo J. Benjamin, Jonathan Goodwin, Tamilselvam Gunasekaran, Karsten E. Schober, Sonja S. Tjostheim, John Vickers, Jessica L. Ward, Duncan S. Russell, Mark Rishniw, Sarah A. Hamer, and Ashley B. Saunders
Journal/Date of Publication: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2023
Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and outcome in dogs diagnosed with Trypanosoma cruzi infection in non-endemic areas and to survey veterinary cardiologists in North America for Chagas disease awareness.
Type of Study: Retrospective, multicenter study
Conclusions:
- Dogs can be diagnosed with Chagas disease in non-endemic areas, often linked to travel or relocation from endemic regions.
- The study found low awareness and knowledge of Chagas disease among veterinary cardiologists in nonendemic areas, underscoring the need for enhanced education and resources.
Clinical Application:
- Importance of considering Chagas disease in differential diagnoses for dogs with travel history and cardiac symptoms.
- Increased need for diagnostic resources and knowledge sharing among veterinarians in non-endemic regions.
- Encouragement for thorough travel history assessments to identify potential risks of vector-borne diseases.
