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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 78(4), 2008, pp. 624-627
Copyright © 2008 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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SHORT REPORT


The Value of Molecular Studies for the Diagnosis of Congenital Chagas Disease in Northeastern Argentina

Cristina N. Diez*, Silvia Manattini, Juan Carlos Zanuttini, Oscar Bottasso, AND Iván Marcipar
Laboratorio de Tecnología Inmunológica, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina; Hospital Central Reconquista, Santa Fe, Argentina; Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina

 

ABSTRACT

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a diagnostic tool for congenital Chagas disease is scarcely used. To assess the usefulness of PCR, a study in neonates was carried out to compare PCR with standard methods; that is bloodstream parasites by microhematocrit, and/or seroconversion by two conventional procedures. Seventeen neonates, born to mothers with positive Trypanosoma cruzi serology were analyzed by serologic, parasitological and molecular procedures, in blood samples taken at birth, and when aged 2–4 and 9 months. For a better comparison of sensitivity between both parasitological methods (microhematocrit and PCR), the number of samples of neonates studied at birth extended to 121. In children followed-up until 9 months of age, a 100% correlation between PCR and routine diagnosis was found, with PCR showing its highest sensitivity from Month 2 onwards. Comparative analysis between both parasitological methods, on samples taken at birth, showed a higher sensitivity of PCR respect the microhematocrit (P < 0.0008).

Received August 21, 2007. Accepted for publication November 28, 2007.

Financial support: This work was partially supported by CAID 2002 052.

* Address correspondence to Cristina N. Diez, Ciudad Universitaria-Paraje El Pozocc242, Santa Fe, Argentina 3000. E-mail: cridiez{at}gmail.com

Authors’ addresses: Cristina N. Diez and Iván Mancipar, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje "El Pozo", cc 242, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina, Telephone: 54-342-4575206, Fax: 54-342-4575221. Silvia Manattini and Juan Carlos Zanuttini, Hospital Central Reconquista, H. Irigoyen 1540, 3560 Reconquista, Santa Fe, Argentina, Telephone: 54-3482-429017. Oscar Bottasso, Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe 3100, 2000 Rosario, Argentina, Telephone: 54-341-4804559.

Reprint requests: Cristina Diez, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo, cc 242, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina, E-mail: cridiez{at}gmail.com.






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