title: Evaluation of the Chagas Stat-Pak assay for detection of Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in wildlife reservoirs.
abstract: An immunochromatographic assay (Chagas Stat-Pak) was evaluated for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in 4 species of wildlife reservoirs. Antibodies to T. cruzi were detected in raccoons (Procyon lotor) (naturally and experimentally infected) and degus (Octodon degu) (experimentally-infected) using the Chagas Stat-Pak. In naturally exposed wild raccoons, the Chagas Stat-Pak had a sensitivity and specificity of 66.7-80.0% and 96.3%, respectively. Compared with indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay results, seroconversion as determined by Chagas Stat-Pak was delayed for experimentally infected raccoons, but occurred sooner in experimentally infected degus. The Chagas Stat-Pak did not detect antibodies in naturally or experimentally infected Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) or in experimentally infected short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica). These data suggest that the Chagas Stat-Pak might be useful in field studies of raccoons and degus when samples would not be available for more-conventional serologic assays. Because this assay did not work on either species of marsupial, the applicability of the assay should be examined before it is used in other wild species.
authors.affiliation: Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. myabsley@uga.edu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yabsley
authors.forename: Emily L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Roellig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D048293:Didelphis; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D007158:Immunologic Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D048309:Monodelphis; D046329:Octodon / Q000469:parasitology*; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan