Authors
Alejandro G Schijman, Colin Forsyth, Alba Abras, Igor C Almeida, Julio Alonso-Padilla, Cristina Alonso-Vega, Cristina Ballart-Ferrer, Margarita Bisio, Constança Britto, Eric Dumonteil, María Flores-Chavez, Montserrat Gallego, Claudia P Herrera-Bernal, Constanza Lopez-Albizu, Otacilio C Moreira, Arturo Muñoz-Calderon, Lilian Pinto, Juan C Ramirez, Ivan Scandale, María A Shikanai-Yasuda, Sergio Sosa-Estani, María-Jesus Pinazo
Published in
PLoS neglected tropical diseases. Volume 20. Issue 7. Pages e0014452. Epub Jul 09, 2026.
Abstract
Chagas disease remains a neglected global health problem with major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Progression from acute to chronic infection may lead to cardiac or digestive complications in approximately 20-40% of patients, depending on geographic region and duration of follow-up. However, reliable prognostic markers are still lacking, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment. For over 40 years, therapy has relied on benznidazole and nifurtimox, effective in acute but inconsistent in chronic disease, with frequent adverse effects undermining adherence. Current research is testing shorter regimens, lower doses, and novel compounds. Their evaluation is constrained by the lack of standardized biomarkers of treatment response. Serology requires decades to confirm treatment effect, whereas quantitative PCR (qPCR) enables earlier detection of therapeutic failure. However, heterogeneity of qPCR protocols hampers cross-trial comparisons and meta-analyses. To resolve these limitations, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative convened experts to build consensus on qPCR application in clinical trials aiming to define a target product profile supporting drug development and regulatory approval.
PMID:
42424277
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 10 Jul 2026.
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