Chagas' Disease

Enteric ganglionitis can also occur in the course of an infectious disease (i.e., Trypanosoma cruzi, herpesviruses, or Schistosoma mansoni), with immunologic and histopathologic features that resemble those of the idiopathic forms. T. cruzi is a member of the Trypanosomatidae family; it is transmitted to humans by triatomine insects that are called Reduviidae beetles or “kissing bugs.” This parasite is responsible for Chagas’ disease, an endemic disorder of South America (especially Brazil) that has a significant impact on the general population (it affects an estimated 16 to 18 million individuals).

In addition to cardiac (myocarditis) and urinary system (megaloureter) involvement, patients with Chagas’ disease often have severe motor dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the esophagus and colon, although the disease may progress to any segment of the bowel and extrahepatic biliary tract. Indeed, achalasia (megaesophagus), megaduodenum, and megacolon represent possible end stages of a progressive degeneration and loss of the intrinsic innervation of the digestive system.

Also see: Enteric Ganglionitis