Chagas disease is a potentially life threatening condition that was historically mainly endemic to Latin America. Over the last decade, however, the disease has spread to and is increasingly prevalent in other continents such as North America and Europe, with an estimated 7 million people infected worldwide. It is primarily transmitted by insect vectors that carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the disease agent. In areas where there is vector control and in non-endemic countries, it is mainly transmitted via congenital infection. Cardiac and gastrointestinal complications are common in untreated individuals.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of Chagas disease, including its vectorial and congenital transmission, and molecular diagnosis, which is essential for screening, and developing and providing timely, effective anti-trypanosomal treatment. Written by experts working with infected patients on a daily basis, it discusses the pathogenesis of congenital, cardiac, gastrointestinal and oral Chagas disease, as well as its treatment and the pharmacological aspects of drug development in this area.

Chapter "Chagas Disease Treatment Efficacy Biomarkers: Myths and Realities" is available open access under a via link.springer.com.

Overview

Chapter 1: Chagas disease: past, present and future
The agent
Chapter 2: Trypanosoma cruzi Journey from the Insect Vector to the Host Cell
Chapter 3: A panoramic view of the immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Epidemiology
Chapter 4: Epidemiology of Chagas Disease
Chapter 5: Chagas Disease in Europe
Chapter 6: Chagas Disease in the United States (USA)
Diagnosis
Chapter 7: Diagnosis of Chagas disease
Clinical aspects.- Chapter 8: Acute vector-borne Chagas disease
Chapter 9: Congenital Chagas Disease
Chapter 10: Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: Decision Making in the Midst of Uncertainty
Chapter 11: Orally-Transmitted Chagas Disease: a Neglected Foodborne Infection
Chapter 12: Gastrointestinal  Chagas Disease
Chapter 13: Chagas in immunosuppressed patients
Treatment
Chapter 14: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OF DRUGS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHAGAS DISEASE
Chapter 15: In vivo Drug Testing for Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Chapter 16: Chagas Disease Treatment Efficacy Biomarkers: Myths and Realities.