Prevention Prevent dogs from eating bugs Chagas disease House dogs indoors at night
Prevent dogs from eating potentially infected in animals (mice, rats, etc.) Test breeding females, to prevent congenital Texas transmission
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Although direct transmission from dogs to Chagas disease research veterinary professionals with canine patients humans has not been reported, infection in dogs at indicates the local presence of infected vectors, which may present an increased risk of vector- Texas A&M University borne transmission to humans. Researchers in the College of Veterinary
Medicine and Department of Entomology have If you or a client see a kissing bug and you new projects underway to understand the would like confirmation of the species and to ecology of kissing bugs, Trypanosoma cruzi, and submit it for testing for our research purposes, risk of infection in humans and dogs. Samples our lab will accept samples. from bugs and potentially infected animals are Use a glove or small plastic bag to catch the bug tested for the parasite, and the results are being to avoid direct contact. Store the bug in a sealed used to answer questions related to whether plastic bag, vial, or other container. All surfaces Chagas disease will become a disease of major with which the bug came into contact should be public health concern in the United States. thoroughly cleaned with a bleach solution. You defense.gov dpd.cdc.gov may contact us with questions or for submissions. It is very important for us to know exactly Research Team at Texas A&M where the bug was found, what the bug was doing (flying, walking, etc.), the date, and the [email protected] time. (979) 458-4924 Rachel Curtis, NSF Graduate Research Fellow Carolyn Hodo, DVM, Anatomic Pathology Resident Sarah Hamer, PhD, DVM, Assistant Professor Karen Snowden, DVM, DACVM, Professor Gabriel Hamer, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor
S. Kjos Triatoma gerstaeckeri “Discovering tomorrow’s health solutions today.” Kissing bug adult female Chagas disease: the facts Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease ●●● dpd.cdc.gov Clinical Signs The vector-borne protozoan parasite Diagnosis Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease in Sudden death can occur at any stage of the humans and dogs. The nocturnal insect vector, disease. Diagnosis is based on a high index of suspicion, commonly known as the kissing bug, can combined with compatible clinical signs and Acute Phase: fever, anorexia, lethargy, transmit the parasite to hosts by biting and echocardiographic and ECG findings. lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, subsequently defecating near the site of the splenomegaly, cardiac conduction The standard method of diagnosis is through bite. The parasites contained in the feces of the abnormalities or arrhythmias serology (IFA). Identification of organisms on bug infect the dog via mucous membranes or blood smear is possible during the acute breaks in the skin. Dogs can also acquire Latent Phase: no clinical signs, but sudden phase, but not always reliable. In-house rapid infection by eating infected bugs. Congenital death may occur transmission is also possible. serologic tests are not yet approved for use in
Chronic Phase: congestive heart failure, the United States. dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and
arrhythmias The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic In congenitally affected puppies, the Laboratory (TVMDL) offers testing for Chagas symptoms may be slightly different. Triatoma sanguisuga, disease. A 1cc serum sample is acceptable for
A kissing bug vector of Chagas disease serology testing to determine antibody titers.
●●● More information can be found at www.tvmdl.tamu.edu At-risk populations Differential Diagnoses Sport-type and working dogs Leishmania Treatment Young dogs Other causes of DCM There are no effective drugs to cure Puppies from diseased mothers Chagas disease. Therapy directed against Kennel environments the organism does not alter the course of Dogs that sleep outdoors the disease in the chronic stage. Focus is on symptomatic treatment of heart failure Chagas disease recently became a notifiable condition in Texas. and arrhythmias. Cases should be reported to your regional health department within 1 week. Drug-development studies are on-going. www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/zoonosis/forms/animal