Diagnosis of Chagas disease: what has been achieved? What remains to be done with regard to diagnosis and follow up studies?
In the acute phase and in the chronic forms of Chagas disease, the etiological diagnosis may be performed by detection of the parasite using direct or indirect parasitological methods and by the presence of antibodies in the serum by way of serological tests. Several techniques are easily available, ranging from the simplest wet smear preparation to immuno-enzymatic assays with recombinant antigens that will meet most diagnostic needs. Other tests under evaluation include a molecular test using polymerase chain reaction, which has shown promising results and may be used as a confirmatory test both in the acute and chronic phases of the disease. Better rapid tests are needed for diagnosis, some of which are already under evaluation. Additionally, there is a need for tools that can identify patients cured shortly after specific treatment. Other needs include a marker for prognosis and early diagnosis of congenital transmission.
Gomes
Yara M
YM
Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Imunologia, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz, Recife, PE, Brasil. yara@cpqam.fiocruz.br
Lorena
Virginia M B
VM
Luquetti
Alejandro O
AO
D000208:Acute Disease; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents