Chagas' disease

[ shah-guhs ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, occurring chiefly in tropical America and characterized by irregular fever, palpable lymph nodes, and often heart damage.

Chagas' disease

/ ˈʃɑːɡəs /

noun

1. a form of trypanosomiasis found in South America, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, characterized by fever and, often, inflammation of the heart muscles Also calledAmerican trypanosomiasisSouth American trypanosomiasis Compare sleeping sickness

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chagas' disease¹

1910–15; named after C. Chagas (1879–1934), Brazilian physician, its describer

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chagas' disease¹

C20: named after Carlos Chagas (1879–1934), Brazilian physician who first described it