1. Predictors of Trypanosoma cruzi PCR positivity in patients with chronic Chagas disease.
- Author
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de Lima ACB, Mendes VG, Ferreira RR, Nisimura LM, Horita SIM, Veloso HH, Costa AR, da Silva GMS, Sangenis LHC, Holanda MT, Rimolo L, Cunha AB, Garzoni LR, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Mediano MFF, Moreira ODC, Britto C, and Saraiva RM
- Subjects
- Female, Humans, Male, Biomarkers, Bundle-Branch Block complications, Bundle-Branch Block drug therapy, Chronic Disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Middle Aged, Aged, Chagas Disease drug therapy, Diabetes Mellitus drug therapy, Trypanocidal Agents therapeutic use, Trypanosoma cruzi genetics
- Abstract
Background: A positive Trypanosoma cruzi polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with chronic Chagas disease (CD)., Objectives: To study the association of clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics and biomarker blood levels with positive T. cruzi PCR in chronic CD., Methods: This is a single-centre observational cross-sectional study. Positive T. cruzi PCR association with clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics, and biomarker blood levels were studied by logistic regression analysis. p values < 0.05 were considered significant., Findings: Among 333 patients with chronic CD (56.4% men; 62 ± 10 years), T. cruzi PCR was positive in 41.1%. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression showed an independent association between positive T. cruzi PCR and diabetes mellitus {odds ratio (OR) 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.93]; p = 0.03}, right bundle branch block [OR 1.78 (95% CI 1.09-2.89); p = 0.02], and history of trypanocidal treatment [OR 0.13 (95% CI 0.04-0.38); p = 0.0002]. Among patients with a history of trypanocidal treatment (n = 39), only four (10%) patients had a positive T. cruzi PCR., Main Conclusions: Among several studied parameters, only diabetes mellitus, right bundle branch block, and history of trypanocidal treatment showed an independent association with positive T. cruzi PCR. History of trypanocidal treatment was a strong protective factor against a positive T. cruzi PCR.
- Published
- 2023
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