Acute oral Chagas disease following armadillo blood ingestion: a case report.
Estefanía Gartner-López, Raúl Andrés Vallejo-Serna, Stephany Barbosa-Balaguera et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 70-year-old man from rural Colombia presented with atrial fibrillation, dyspnea, and palpitations. A blood smear identified Trypanosoma cruzi, confirmed by molecular testing, linked to his ingestion of armadillo blood three weeks prior. Treatment with nifurtimox, metoprolol, and enoxaparin led to sinus rhythm restoration and symptom relief, though a parasitological cure was not confirmed.
What made this case unusual
This case highlights acute oral Chagas disease presenting as reversible atrial fibrillation, a rare manifestation linked to cultural practices in non-endemic regions.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider acute Chagas disease in patients with unexplained atrial fibrillation, especially with a history of potential oral transmission.
Why it matters
Understanding the potential for oral transmission of Chagas disease is crucial for recognizing atypical presentations in non-endemic areas, which may influence diagnosis and management.