When a person enters the chronic stage of the Chagas disease,
the following organs and organ systems are affected:
- Heart - Enlargement of the ventricles of the
heart leading to heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Digestive system - Damage to the digestive
system resulting in dilation of the digestive tract accompanied by
severe weight loss. Secondary achalasia may lead to malnutrition in
the patient.
- Nervous system - Neuritis resulting in altered
tendon reflexes and sensory impairment. Dementia, confusion,
chronic encephalopathy and sensory and motor deficits can also be
seen.