skip to main content

Chagas Cardiomyopathy — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateTropical & Imported InfectionsChagas CardiomyopathySCE Infectious Diseases

A 30-year-old man from Bolivia presents with cardiac failure. ECG shows right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block. Echocardiography shows dilated cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular apical aneurysm. He has a history of a painless nodular skin lesion (chagoma) as a child. What is the diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Chronic Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi cardiomyopathy)

RBBB plus left anterior hemiblock with dilated cardiomyopathy and apical aneurysm in a patient from Bolivia (highly endemic for Chagas disease) with a history of childhood chagoma (entry site lesion from triatomine bug bite) is classic chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. T. cruzi causes progressive myocardial damage over decades. Diagnosis is confirmed by T. cruzi serology (two different serological tests). Treatment in the chronic phase with Benznidazole may slow progression (BENEFIT trial showed parasitological but not clinical benefit). Heart failure management follows standard guidelines. Screening of family members is recommended.

Reference: WHO 2024 – Chagas disease; NICE CKS 2024 – Chagas; BENEFIT Trial 2015