Romaña's Sign
Type: Symptom
Definition
Unilateral painless periorbital swelling associated with the acute stage of Chagas disease.
Clinical Details
This occurs when the infective triatomine bug feces are accidentally rubbed into the conjunctiva of the eye. The localized multiplication of parasites triggers an acute inflammatory response, causing the eyelid and surrounding tissues to swell dramatically. It is a pathognomonic physical finding for acute Chagas transmission.