Update ou Chagas' disease in Mexico

Chagas' disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, repres ents a major public health problem in most of the American continent. As tr ansmission of the parasite is being interrupted in most of South America, t he disease remains endemic in various areas of Mexico. We review here some of the information gathered in recent years. Seroprevalence of T. cruzi inf ection in humans remains relatively high in some areas, and there has been a general increase in the number of chronic cases reported to health author ities in recent years. In fact, chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy appears to be affecting a large number of patients with heart disease, but many cases may be misreported because of the unspecific nature of the clinical symptom s. Epidemiological monitoring of vector and reservoir populations, as well as of human cases is helping focus on endemic areas, but a better coordinat ion and development of these efforts is still needed. Recent studies of par asite biology are in agreement with previous work showing the great diversi ty of parasite characteristics, and support the need for a regional approac h to this zoonosis. Strong and continuing support from health and academic authorities is thus still needed to further improve our understanding of Ch agas' disease in Mexico and implement efficient control programs.