BENEFIT: Treating the Parasite Doesn't Help Clinically in Chagas' Cardiomyopathy
Of patients who were PCR-positive for the parasite at baseline, 1431 were randomized to receive benznidazole 300 mg/day and 1423 to get placebo, with treatment continued for 40 to 80 days. Patients were followed for at least 2 years in the trial, conducted at 49 centers in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador.
Seroconversion rates (conversion to negative for T cruzi) were 33% to 35% for control patients at each of 60 days (the end of randomized therapy), 2 years, and >5 years—significantly less at each time point than in those who received benznidazole (66.2%, 55.4%, and 46.7%, respectively; P<0 .001="" all="" differences="" for="" p="">
"Our findings do not challenge current guidelines that recommend treatment with trypanocidal therapy in the early stages of chronic Chagas' infection, which are based on several studies," and shouldn't discourage explorations of "more effective or earlier treatments with new drugs or drug combinations."
"Our findings do not challenge current guidelines that recommend treatment with trypanocidal therapy in the early stages of chronic Chagas' infection, which are based on several studies," and shouldn't discourage explorations of "more effective or earlier treatments with new drugs or drug combinations."
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