Salvador Mazza

Argentine physician who revolutionized tropical disease research in early 20th-century South America

Dr. Salvador Mazza (1886–1946) dedicated his life to combating Chagas disease, a neglected tropical illness that plagued rural South America. His mobile laboratories and aggressive research methods transformed public health approaches across the continent.

After studying under Nobel laureate Charles Nicolle, Mazza established the Misión de Estudios de Patología Regional Argentina (MEPRA) in 1926. He converted railway cars into mobile labs, traveling to remote areas to study disease vectors. Mazza's team documented over 1,000 Chagas cases, proving the illness was endemic rather than rare as previously thought.

His controversial methods included bug-hunting expeditions where researchers collected triatomine insects (kissing bugs) from adobe homes. Mazza's work revealed the connection between insect vectors, parasite transmission, and chronic heart conditions. Despite opposition from traditional medical establishments, he pushed for national screening programs and housing reforms.

Today, Argentina's leading infectious disease institute bears his name. Mazza's legacy lives on through improved diagnostic protocols and renewed focus on diseases affecting marginalized communities.