Timeline of Chagas disease

This is a timeline of Chagas disease, describing major events such as scientific and medical developments, as well as major organizations and campaigns aimed at combating the disease.

Year/periodKey developments
16th century onwardsUpon the arrival of the Spanish in South America, several accounts by travellers and physicians describing patients with chagas disease–like symptoms merge.[1]
1920s–1930sSalvador Mazza and others detect some 1,400 cases of Chagas disease in the Argentine Gran Chaco in these decades, in a region where others have failed to identify a case in previous decades.[2]
1940sIntroduction of serodiagnostic tests shows that infections with Chagas disease causative parasite trypanosoma cruzi are widespread in Latin America.[1]
1950sChagas disease prevention programs start to be conducted.[2] In Central America, the presence of Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus is recognized as a public health problem.[3]
1980s–1990sChagas disease prevention is dramatically improved through large-scale vector control and screening of blood donors.[2] The estimated burden of disease in terms of disability-adjusted life years declines from 2·7 million in 1990 to 586,000 in 2001 in the Southern Cone.[4]
Recent yearsDue to migration of people infected with Chagas disease causing parasite trypanosoma cruzi from endemic countries, Chagas disease is increasingly becoming a global health problem. At present about 7-8 million people are estimated to be infected with Chagas disease causing parasite trypanosoma cruzi, mostly in Latin America, and more than 25 million people are at risk of contracting Chagas disease. In 2008 alone, over 10,000 deaths from Chagas disease were reported.[1][2]

Full timeline
First and last reported presence of Chagas disease vector rhodnius prolixus in Central America and Mexico.[3]
Estimated Nuber of immigrants infected with trypanosoma cruzi in European countries.[5]
Year/periodType of eventEventGeographical location
7–10 million BPThe ancestor of Chagas disease parasite trypanosoma cruzi is probably introduced to South America via bats.[1]South America
~15000 BPInfectionChagas parasite trypanosoma cruzi starts to affect human beings upon their arrival in the Americas.[1]Americas
~9000 BPInfectionThe earliest detection of a chagas parasite trypanosoma cruzi infection in a human comes from a Chinchorro mummy. Chagas disease causative parasite trypanosoma cruzi infections would also be found in mummies of subsequent cultures that succeeded the Chinchorros and were living in the same area up to the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.[1]South America
1707Medical developmentPortuguese physician Miguel Diaz Pimenta publishes book first suggesting clinical report relating to possible intestinal symptoms of Chagas disease. Pimenta describes a condition, which is known as “bicho”, “that causes the humours to be retained, causing the patient to have little desire to eat”.[1]
1735Medical developmentPortuguese physician, Luís Gomes Ferreira describes account on the megavisceral syndrome of Chagas disease.[1]
1835ReportDuring The Voyage of the Beagle, British naturalist Charles Darwin writes account of blood sucking process of a triatomine bug (known as benchuca or the great black bug of the Pampas) attacking on him. Based on this encounter and Darwin's prolonged gastric and nervous symptoms, it would be hypothesised that Darwin was suffering from Chagas disease later in his life. Despite all this, the critical role of triatomine bugs in transmitting Chagas disease would remain undiscovered until 1909.[1][4]Argentina
1873Medical developmentDanish physician Theodoro Langgaard describes Chagas disease as “mal de engasgo” probably referring to dysphagia.[1][6]Brazil
1909Scientific developmentBrazilian scientist Carlos Chagas, after years of researching trypanosomes, finds the relation between these pathogenes and a feverish two-year-old girl with enlarged spleen and liver and swollen lymph nodes. Chagas discovers a new human disease which soon would bear his name.[7][1][8]Brazil
1913Scientific developmentNattan-Larrier reports finding Chagas disease causing parasite trypanosoma cruzi in the milk of laboratory animals.[9]
1915Scientific developmentRhodnius prolixus, one of the main vectors of trypanosoma cruzi (causative agent of Chagas disease) in Central America, is discovered in El Salvador.[3]El Salvador
1930–1939Scientific developmentArgentine epidemiologist Salvador Mazza describes more than a thousand Chagas disease cases in the Argentine Chaco province. Mazza is the first to raise the possibility that Chagas disease could be transmitted by blood transfusion.[1]Argentina
1934Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus, is first reported in Guatemala.[3]Guatemala
1936Scientific developmentStudy reports having found trypomastigotes in the milk of mothers in the acute phase of Chagas disease.[9]
1939Scientific developmentSwiss chemist discovers Organochloride DDT's insecticidal properties.[10] This would allow vector control in the 1940s when the first organochlorine insecticides are developed.[1]
1947Prevention developmentGamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) insecticide is released and recommended for its use as first control alternative against Chagas disease vectors. For many years ahead, BHC would remain the mainstay of Chagas disease vector control trials and campaigns.[4]
1949Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus, is first reported in Nicaragua.[3]Nicaragua
1953Medical developmentDye crystal violet is found to kill Chagas disease parasite trypanosoma cruzi in blood preservations. Since then the dye would be widely employed in blood banks in endemic areas to eliminate the parasite from blood used for transfusion.[1]
1953Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus, is first reported in Costa Rica.[3]Costa Rica
1956–1959Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus, is first reported in Honduras.[3]Honduras
1966Medical developmentSwiss multinational health-care company Hoffmann-La Roche introduces benznidazole for treatment of Chagas disease.[1]Switzerland
1970Medical developmentGerman multinational company Bayer introduces Nifurtimox for treatment of Chagas disease.Germany
1972Scientific developmentM. A. Miles detects trypomastigotes and antibodies against Chagas disease parasite trypanosoma cruzi, after examining the milk of mice in the acute phase of the disease. Finally, Miles would conclude that, experimentally, even in the acute phase of the disease, Chagas transmission through breast-feeding is rare.[9]
1975Program launchBrazil starts operating Chagas disease control program. At the time, 711 out of over 5000 municipalities have triatomine-infested houses targeted by the program.[4]Brazil
1975–1978Program launchThe Ministry of Health of Brazil conducts a seroprevalence survey in its Chagas disease endemic areas and finds 4.1% individuals positive, equivalent to about 800,000 cases of the disease.[4]Brazil
1983Program launchBrazil launches national campaign of Chagas disease vector control. By 1986 75% of the initial objectives would be attained.[4]Brazil
1986ReportBrazil reports 186 municipalities infested with triatomines (potential Chagas disease vectors).[4]Brazil
1991Program launchA Southern Cone Initiative (INCOSUR), a regional intergovernmental control program agreed between the governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru, is launched with the original objectives of eliminating all domestic and peridomestic populations of the main vector triatoma infestans and transmission of trypanosoma cruzi via blood transfusion in the Southern Cone countries by the year 2000.[7][2][4][11]Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru
1993ReportBrazil reports 83 municipalities infested with triatomines (potential Chagas disease vectors).[4]Brazil
1997EradicationControl over the transmission of Chagas disease infection by vector triatoma infestans is certified in Uruguay by the Pan American Health Organization.[7][11]Uruguay
1997Program launchThe Initiative of the Andean Countries (IAC) is launched by Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela with the purpose of interrupting transmission via vector and transfusion of Chagas disease in the region.[7][12]Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
1997Program launchThe Initiative of Central America and Mexico is launched with the objectives of interrupting the transmission of Chagas disease by vector rhodnius prolixus, reducing domestic infestation by vector triatoma dimidiata and interrupting parasite trypanosoma cruzi transmission through blood transfusion.[7][3]
1998Program launchThe World Health Assembly and others set target for interruprion of transmission of Chagas disease by 2005 (not achieved).[2]
1999EradicationControl over the transmission of Chagas disease infection by vector triatoma infestans is certified in Chile by the Pan American Health Organization.[7][11]Chile
2002ReportThe burden of Chagas disease in Latin America is calculated to amount to as much as 2.7 times the joint burden of malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and leprosy, and accounts for 670 000 disability-adjusted life years through its impact on worker productivity, premature disability and death.[2]Latin America
2002OrganizationThe Initiative of the Amazon Countries (AMCHA) is organized by the Pan American Health Organization with the objectives of evaluating the risks of Chagas endemicity becoming established in the Amazon Region, identifying the research required for monitoring and prevention of Chagas disease in the region, proposing monitoring and prevention, and proposing an international cooperation system. Nine Amazon countries are represented: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela.[7]Brazil (Manaus)
2006EradicationControl over the transmission of Chagas disease infection by vector triatoma infestans is certified in Brazil by the Pan American Health Organization.[7][4]Brazil
2008EradicationGuatemala becomes the first country in Central America to be formally certified as free of Chagas disease transmission due to rhodnius prolixus.[3][13]Guatemala
2011EradicationAll the previously endemic countries of Central America, in addition to Mexico, are formally certified as free of Chagas disease transmission due to their main domestic vector, rhodnius prolixus.[3]Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica

See also

References
  1. Steverding, Dietmar (2014). "The history of Chagas disease". Parasites & Vectors. 7: 317. doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-317. PMC 4105117. PMID 25011546.
  2. Gürtler, Ricardo E; Diotaiuti, Liléia; Kitron, Uriel. "Commentary: Chagas disease: 100 years since discovery and lessons for the future". Retrieved 28 February 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Hashimoto, Ken; Schofield, Christopher J (2012). "Elimination of Rhodnius prolixus in Central America". Parasites & Vectors. 5: 45. doi:10.1186/1756-3305-5-45. PMC 3310830. PMID 22357219.
  4. MASSAD, E. (2008). "The elimination of Chagas' disease from Brazil". Epidemiology and Infection. 136 (9): 1153–1164. doi:10.1017/S0950268807009879. PMC 2870925. PMID 18053273.
  5. Steverding, Dietmar (2014). "The history of Chagas disease". Parasites & Vectors. 7: 317. doi:10.1186/1756-3305-7-317. PMC 4105117. PMID 25011546.
  6. Marcondes de Rezende, Joffre (2009-01-01). À sombra do Plátano: crônicas de história da medicina. ISBN 9788561673635. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  7. Rodrigues Coura, José; Albajar Viñas, Pedro; Junqueira, Angela (2014). "Ecoepidemiology, short history and control of Chagas disease in the endemic countries and the new challenge for non-endemic countries". Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 109 (7): 856–862. doi:10.1590/0074-0276140236. PMC 4296489. PMID 25410988.
  8. Kropf, SP; Sá, MR (2009). "The discovery of Trypanosoma cruzi and Chagas disease (1908-1909): tropical medicine in Brazil". Historia, Ciencias, Saude--Manguinhos. 16 Suppl 1: 13–34. doi:10.1590/S0104-59702009000500002. PMID 20027916.
  9. Norman, Francesca F.; López-Vélez, Rogelio (2013). "Chagas Disease and Breast-feeding". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 19 (10): 1561–1566. doi:10.3201/eid1910.130203. PMC 3810739. PMID 24050257.
  10. "The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1948". Nobelprize. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  11. Rodrigues Coura, José (2013). "Chagas disease: control, elimination and eradication. Is it possible?". Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 108 (8): 962–967. doi:10.1590/0074-0276130565. PMC 4005548. PMID 24402148.
  12. Guhl, F (2007). "Chagas disease in Andean countries". Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 102 Suppl 1: 29–38. doi:10.1590/S0074-02762007005000099. PMID 17891273.
  13. Trypanosomiasis—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2012 Edition. Scholarly Editions. 2012-12-26. ISBN 9781481608909. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
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