Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis) By Chelsea Marie, PhD, University of Virginia; William A Petri, Jr, MD, PhD, University of Virginia School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Dec 2022 View Patient Education Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Key Points More Information Topic Resources Trypanosoma cruzi... Romaña Sign Chagas disease is infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by Triatominae bug bites or, less commonly, via ingestion of sugar cane juice or foods contaminated with infected Triatominae bugs or their feces, via blood transfusion or an organ transplant from an infected donor, or via maternal-fetal transmission.