We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Immunoassays Compared to Improve Diagnosis of Chagas Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Oct 2019
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a vector-borne infection of significant public health concern in Latin America, where nearly six million people are infected and 70 million are at risk of infection.

Up to 99% of CD cases in the Americas and more than 90% in Europe are undiagnosed. More...
A key barrier is the complexity of the diagnostic process, which is hampered by the lack of a gold standard, availability of multiple types of assays with varying sensitivity and specificity, and the sheer difficulty of detecting the parasite in the chronic phase of the disease.

Scientists associated the Colombian National Institute of Health (Bogota, Colombia) used a panel of 501 serum samples obtained from whole blood and the samples reflected a broad spectrum of CD patients in Colombia. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 81, but only seven were under 18 years old. Mean patient age was 39.3 years and was younger in blood donors (22.3) than patients tested in public health laboratories (49.4).

Samples were characterized as positive (n = 256) or negative (n = 245) using standard procedures based on four serological assays: an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), optic density ≥ 0.300; an in-house immunofluorescence assay (IFA), dilution ≥ 1:32; an indirect hemagglutination; and immunoblots of trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigens.

The scientists assessed seven commercially available assays and found that five of seven assays exhibited sensitivity >98% while six showed specificity >97%. A total antigen ELISA paired with a recombinant assay provided similar performance to the current diagnostic process. Six of six assays tested proved capable of detecting different Trypanosoma cruzi genetic lineages. Of the 501 samples, 85.2% were correctly classified by all seven immunoassays; 222/256 positive samples (86.7%) and 202/245 (83.7%) negative samples.

The authors concluded that their study demonstrated the utility of systematically evaluating T. cruzi assays, using WHO standards, to validate national guidelines for CD diagnosis, strengthen quality control of diagnostic tools, and promote international standardization. A simplified testing process with two commercial assays could perform comparably to the previous process, reducing cost and accessibility barriers and facilitating national scale-up. The study was published in the October 2019 issue of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
Colombian National Institute of Health


New
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Chlamydia Trachomatis Test
Aptima Chlamydia Trachomatis Assay
New
Integrated Biochemical & Immunological System
Biolumi CX8
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.