Gastrointestinal Chagas Disease

Digestive Chagas disease is thought to be caused by damage to the intramural neurons by the parasite.

The effects on the esophagus range from asymptomatic motility disorders through mild achalasia to severe megaesophagus.

Symptoms can include:

• Dysphagia
• Odynophagia
• Weight loss
• Regurgitation
• Aspiration

As in idiopathic achalasia, the risk of esophageal carcinoma is elevated.