Chagas disease in the differential diagnosis of megacolon.

Chagas disease (CHD) is endemic in the Americas but due to increased immigration is becoming increasingly common in our country. It is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (1) that is transmitted by blood-sucking insects, blood transfusions or fetal transmission (1,2). The CHD has three phases: an acute (non-specific symptoms) (3), one asymptomatic (antibody positive) and a significant chronic cardiac disease (leading cause of death) (4) and formation of digestive megavisceras such as megaesophagus and megacolon (5). The diagnosis depends on the stage of the disease and treatment is applicable only in the acute phase.