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Title: Risk factors and select cardiac characteristics in dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi presenting to a teaching hospital in Texas
Abstract Background

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi, causes sudden death and chronic heart disease with no currently approved treatment.

Objective

To report epidemiologic and select cardiac characteristics associated withT. cruziinfection in dogs presenting to a teaching hospital in Texas.

Animals

Three hundred seventy‐five client‐owned dogs.

Methods

A retrospective search of medical records identified dogs tested forT. cruziantibodies or with histologicT. cruziparasites. Data retrieved included signalment, location of residence, reported reason for testing, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration, and ECG abnormalities.

Results

Trypanosoma cruzi‐infected dogs (N = 63, 16.8%) were significantly younger than negative dogs (N = 312) (mean, 5.9 ± 3.8 versus 7.4 ± 4.0 years;P = .007) with no difference by sex or breed. Ninety‐one breeds were tested; the highest percent infected were non‐sporting (10/35; 29%) and toy breed (10/42; 24%) groups. The odds of infection were 13 times greater among dogs with an infected housemate or littermate (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.94‐50.45;P< .001). Infected dogs were more likely to have ventricular arrhythmias (odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.15‐4.33,P = .02), combinations of ECG abnormalities (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.37‐5.99;P = .004), and cTnI >0.129 ng/mL (ADVIA; OR, 10.71; 95% CI, 1.60‐212.21;P = .035).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Dogs infected withT. cruziwere identified in Texas in many breed groups including breeds affected by well‐described heart diseases that mimic Chagas disease suggesting a need for increased awareness, including knowledge of when to consider testing.

 
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PAR ID:
10375833
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley-Blackwell
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume:
33
Issue:
4
ISSN:
0891-6640
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: p. 1695-1706
Size(s):
p. 1695-1706
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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