In the acute phase of Chagas disease the nests of Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote
forms are found in tissues, especially in cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle cells from human
body. However the most important element of severe injuries formation in the heart and
digestive tube tissues is the lymphocyte and macrophage cells infiltration triggering the
destruction of normal, non-parasitized heart muscles, and ganglia from the intestine and
peripheral nervous system. The non-parasitized target cells destruction caused by lymphocytes
and macrophages from the immune system is particularly evident during the chronic phase of
the chagasic infection. The severe inflammation weakens the organs, leading to dilatation and to
insufficiency. The cellular death implies in replacement by fibrous scars which are only a
sequelae from the rejection of the “self” tissue.
