Acute Autochthonous Chagas Myocarditis in Texas

Needs Statement

Although a large segment of the U.S. population is at risk for Chagas disease, many healthcare, public health, and community health workers do not receive systematic training about this parasitic infection and its epidemiology, transmission, risk factors, and clinical manifestations. This lack of training is especially concerning for residents of the Southern United States and for immigrants from continental Latin America, places inhabited by infected Triatominae vector species. Researchers advocate that at-risk children, women of reproductive age, and immunocompromised individuals in these populations should be prioritized for Chagas disease screening, and those who are infected should be treated to reduce the possibility of severe sequelae. This case conference aims to advance learner knowledge about the evidence-based recommendations for Chagas disease diagnosis and management, monitoring of treatment side effects, and implementation of strategies for screening and prevention. The overall goals are to enhance the quality of care for patients with Chagas disease in the United States and to improve patient outcomes by reducing disease-related morbidity and mortality.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology, transmission routes, and clinical manifestations of Chagas disease.
• Explain the importance of screening and testing at-risk populations for Chagas disease, including the rationale for maternal and congenital screening to prevent vertical transmission.
• Screen and identify patients at risk for Chagas disease by applying evidence-based protocols for risk assessment and confirmatory testing and making appropriate referrals.
• Implement current recommendations for the management and follow-up of patients with Chagas disease, including monitoring for complications and treatment side effects.
• Recognize the public health implications of Chagas disease and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to improve patient outcomes and reduce the overall disease burden.

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Term of Approval

November 1, 2025 through November 30, 2027. Original release date: November 1, 2025.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.