Tropical diseases of the myocardium: a review
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Groom, ZC
Protopapas, AD
Zochios, V
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are widely distributed throughout the world. Human parasitic infections are ubiquitous. Tropical parasites are increasingly recognized as causes of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we address the most frequently reported parasites that directly infect the myocardium, including Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoal causative agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), and Taenia solium, the cestode causative agent of taeniasis and cysticercosis. We also discuss tropical endomyocardial fibrosis, trichinellosis and schistosomiasis. Health systems, attitudes, the perceptions of both patients and physicians as well as socioeconomic factors should all be explored and recognized as crucial factors for improving the control of cardiovascular diseases in the tropics. Clinicians throughout the world must remain aware of imported parasites as potential causes of cardiac diseases.
Date Issued
2017-04-07
Date Acceptance
2017-03-09
Citation
International Journal of General Medicine, 2017, 10, pp.101-111
ISSN
1178-7074
Publisher
Dove Medical Press
Start Page
101
End Page
111
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of General Medicine
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© 2017 Groom et al. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms. php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php
Subjects
Chagas disease
cardiomyopathy
myocardium
parasitic infection
tropical infections
1103 Clinical Sciences
Publication Status
Published