SHORT REPORT: BENZNIDAZOLE EFFICACY AMONG TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI−INFECTED ADOLESCENTS AFTER A SIX-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Abstract. Data from a six-year follow-up of Trypanosoma cruzi−infected adolescents enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial of benznidazole showed successful chemotherapy in 64.7 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 50.2−78.7) and 84.7 % (95 % CI 66.8−92.9), respectively, by intention-to treat and by per protocol analysis measured by seronegativity in a chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a purified trypomastigote mucin antigen. No incident case of cardiomyopathy was detected by electrocardiogram assessment in this cohort of adolescents who had been infected in childhood. The persistent and consistently long-term negative serologic reactions suggest the absence of the parasite in the treated patients and reinforces the recommendation of early benznidazole chemotherapy for T. cruzi-infected infants as a public health policy in endemic areas. While the elimination of Chagas disease has been consid-ered a reasonable public health goal,1 controversies remain about the efficiency of trypanocidal chemotherapy, especially in chronic asymptomatic individuals. Currently, there is a need to find appropriate drugs or therapeutic regimens with existing drugs that can be used in Trypanosoma cruzi−infected individuals to prevent development of severe clinical forms o