Trans-sialidase inhibition assay for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood donor samples from Argentina.
OBJECTIVE
Conventional serology tests for Trypanosoma cruzi blood banks screening are neither sensitive nor specific enough, and currently no gold standard assay is available. Trans-sialidase inhibition assay (TIA) detects neutralizing antibodies against T. cruzi trans-sialidase. Conventional serology inconclusive, positive and negative blood donor samples were evaluated by employing TIA as a supplementary test.


METHODS
Three hundred and twenty-one blood donor samples were tested using a combination of assays. Based on the results of testing, these were divided into a number of groups. All samples were tested by TIA.


RESULTS
In conventional serology inconclusive samples 48.1% were TIA-positive, 1/54 conventional serology positive samples was TIA-negative. All negative samples from donors without epidemiological risks were TIA-negative; 1/48 was positive in those with epidemiological risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Trans-sialidase inhibition assay application in blood banks may be useful to resolve inconclusive samples, and thus improves donor counseling and allows individual re-entry. The use of TIA in samples from negative conventional test donors but positive epidemiological antecedents may contribute to decrease transfusional risk.
Blejer
J L
JL
Transfusional Medicine Center, Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Sartor
P A
PA
Bottasso
O
O
Salamone
H J
HJ
Leguizamón
M S
MS
D001118:Argentina; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods*; D001782:Blood Donors; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000379:methods*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000201:enzymology*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C069715:trans-sialidase; D009439:Neuraminidase