D.E. O., a 59 years old white female bom in Paranagua (PR), came from Itaporanga with Kimmelstiel Wilson nephropathy diabetes and pyelonephritis with acute renal failure followed by a nephrectomy. Anaemia and malnutrition led to blood transfusions before and after surgery. On the 34th day, she developed high fever, prostration, agressivity with mental confusion, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Trypanosomes were seen in peripheral blood smears. Haemoculture and xenodiagnosis was positive. A complement fixation test was negative. Benznidazole (6 mg/kg/day) was started. During treatment she presented pulmonary infection and a surgical purulent secretion showed Klebsiella sp. Despite intensive medical care she died of sepsis. Autopsy revealed evidence of diabetes mellitus (glomerulosclerosis, hepatic lesions, pancreatic fibrosis and generalised arteriolar disease). No chagasic lesions were detected in the heart, central nervous system, adrenal or other tissues.
Transfusional Chagas Disease; Diabetes mellitus; Kimmelstiel Wilson nephropathy