Abstract
Because serological techniques for determination of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc) infection sometimes give rise to doubts, we have developed immunoparasitological techniques to detect fractions of this protozoarian. These techniques are enzyme immunoassay for specific free circulating antigens (ELISA-CAg) or forming immune complexes (ELISA-CTC). Up to now, both tests have shown higher sensitivity than traditional parasitological techniques, specially in the chronical stage of this infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of these ELISAs in an endemic rural population. Specific antibodies were searched by 3 techniques in sera of 235 volunteers between 3 months and 86 years of age living in the rural area of San Luis province. Positive results by at least two of the three serological techniques were found in 39% of the subjects, who were considered infected. Of this group (92), specific CAg and CIC of Tc were found in 60% of the cases. Both determinations were negative in 80% (114) of the non infected subjects. It is notioeable that the remaining 20%, without antibodies detectable by traditional techniques, has positive results with ELISA-CAg and ELISA-CIC; similar results have been obtained by other authors for TC and T.gondii. Even though the aim of this determinations would be to confirm the traditional serology, if these data can be confirmed in future studies, these techniques should be used to better define an infected subject.
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Pregliasco, L., Freili, J., Bornardella, E. et al. 32. TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI: ANTIGENICITY AND IMMUNE CTRCULATING COMPLEXES IN SUBJECTS OF A RURAL POPULATION OF SAN LUIS PROVINCE. Pediatr Res 23, 652 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198806000-00055
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198806000-00055