title: Trans-sialidase inhibition assay for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood donor samples from Argentina.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Transfusional Medicine Center, Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blejer
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sartor
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bottasso
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Salamone
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Leguizamón
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C069715:trans-sialidase; D009439:Neuraminidase