Efficacy of nifurtimox for the treatment of chronic Chagas disease

Revista chilena de infectología : órgano oficial de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología
Rodrigo Fuentes BRolando de la Cruz M

Abstract

Most Chagas patients belong to the chronic indeterminate stage, in which pharmacological treatment has an inconclusive outcome. To evaluate the efficacy of nifurtimox treatment in chronic asymptomatic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of electronically published literature, with no language, type of study, age or gender restrictions, until September 2010. Studies of chronic asymptomatic Chagas disease patients treated exclusively with nifurtimox were included in the analysis. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using parasitological or serological parameters. Of 463 identified studies, 7 were finally selected: 6 observational studies and 1 randomized clinical trial; 4 of the studies were in adults, 3 in children < 14 years. In 6 studies, outcomes were defined by serological techniques. Summary estimate (log odds) was 0.37 (CI9 -1.32 - 2.07). The analyzed studies gave discordant results. Those might be explained by differences in the populations studied, follow-up periods, diagnostic techniques, and sample size. More studies are necessary to obtain conclusive results about treatment efficacy of nifurtimox in this clinical phase of T. cruzi infection.

Citations

Oct 30, 2012·Bulletin de la Société de pathologie exotique·J-F Pays
Nov 21, 2014·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Diana L FabbroSergio Sosa-Estani

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