The purpose of this blog is to examine the biotechnology involved in the treatment and prevention of Chagas disease. Chagas disease is a parasitic infection endemic to and very prevalent in Latin America. It is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a microscopic parasite spread by triatomine bugs, commonly called “kissing bugs” or “assassin bugs.” The disease is spread when the bugs’ feces are rubbed into a bodily orifice or into a cut or abrasion of the skin. The parasites can also be transmitted through blood or food. While no severe symptoms manifest immediately after exposure, a significant portion of Chagas sufferers will develop severe heart disease or intestinal malformation about 20 years after infection.
It is estimated that 8-11 million people in Central and South America are infected, and that approximately 50,000 people die annually because of Chagas. There are few good treatment options, and development of new ones has been slow.
This blog will explore these as well as other issues concerning Chagas disease. The mechanism of the disease is still not completely understood, and it may be an autoimmune disease, or involve a strong inflammatory response, a theory that we will discuss. We will also explore treatment options for Chagas disease, including heart transplants, bone marrow cell transplants, and current and future drug options. Another possible solution involves genetic engineering of bugs, which could curtail or prevent the bugs from spreading the illness.
Chagas disease is concentrated in areas of poverty, thus it is not one of the more lucrative problems to solve, which perhaps accounts for the few drug options currently available, and with new drugs being developed, pricing and access will be significant issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment