Cross-Reactivity of Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi in Chagas Disease Diagnosis
Author Information
Author(s): Milene H de Moraes, Alessandra A Guarneri, Fabiana P Girardi, Juliana B Rodrigues, Iriane Eger, Kevin M Tyler, Mário Steindel, Edmundo C Grisard
Primary Institution: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Hypothesis
Using trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma rangeli will reduce false positives in Chagas disease diagnosis.
Conclusion
The study shows that using trypomastigote forms significantly decreases cross-reactivity in serological tests for Chagas disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Using trypomastigote forms reduced cross-reactivity from 88.46% to 30.76% in cardiac Chagas disease patients.
- All chagasic sera reacted with both T. cruzi and T. rangeli epimastigotes.
- Significant differences in reaction titres were observed between T. cruzi and T. rangeli strains.
Takeaway
This study found that using a different form of the parasite in tests can help doctors tell if someone really has Chagas disease or not.
Methodology
The study compared serologic cross-reactivity using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and immunoblotting (IB) with sera from acute and chronic chagasic patients.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in diagnosis due to cross-reactivity with other infections.
Limitations
The study may have limitations related to the use of infective forms and associated costs.
Participant Demographics
Sera from chronic chagasic patients with cardiac (n=26) and indeterminate (n=13) forms.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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