[Utility of an immunochromatographic test for Chagas disease screening in primary healthcare].
BACKGROUND
Chagas disease is a common condition among Latin American immigrants living in Spain.


METHODS
An immunochromatographic test was used for Chagas disease screening in 148 patients from Latin America and the results were compared with those of 2 ELISA techniques.


RESULTS
The test had a sensitivity of 92.5%, a specificity of 96.8%, and a coefficient of agreement with the 2 ELISA techniques of 0.9.


CONCLUSIONS
The specificity of the test assayed suffices for Chagas disease screening, but the sensitivity needs to be improved before it can be used for this purpose.
Laboratorio de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. pllch@yahoo.com
Paulo
P
López-Chejade
Carme
C
Roca
Elizabeth
E
Posada
María Jesús
MJ
Pinazo
Joaquim
J
Gascon
Monserrat
M
Portús
D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002845:Chromatography; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests