Infectious diseases are the main cause of acquired dilated cardiomyopathy. This group of disorders shares in common inflammatory cell infiltrate and myocardial remodeling. As part of its pathophysiology, there is coronary microvascular dysfunction, distinct from that observed in coronary artery disease. Chagas cardiomyopathy presents several vascular characteristics that are similar to those presented in other acquired cardiomyopathies. There is convincing evidence of the microvascular involvement and the inflammatory processes that lead to endothelial activation and ischemic damage. Current therapy for the Chagas disease is limited, and it is proposed to combine it with other pharmacological strategies that modify critical physiopathological aspects beneficial for the clinical course of the Chagas cardiomyopathy.
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. Among the parasitology topics covered in this issue are perspectives on various aspects of trypanosome biology: Kemmerling et al. (pages 573–577) look at the immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in the human placenta, while Maya et al. (pages 579–584) discuss therapeutic strategies in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, which is caused by T. cruzi. In addition, McCulloch et al. (pages 585–592) and Ooi and Rudenko (pages 593–600) explore antigenic variation in trypanosomes. Image credit: Kateryna Kon (Shutterstock ID: 520410646).
Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: a therapeutic challenge and future strategies Available to Purchase
Roberto Docampo, Juan D. Maya, Michel Lapier, Christian Castillo, Ulrike Kemmerling, Carolina Campos-Estrada, Rodrigo López-Muñoz; Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: a therapeutic challenge and future strategies. Emerg Top Life Sci 22 December 2017; 1 (6): 579–584. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20170109
Download citation file: