Long-lasting antibodies detected by a trans-sialidase inhibition assay of sera from parasite-free, serologically cured chagasic patients

J Infect Dis. 1997 May;175(5):1272-5. doi: 10.1086/593697.

Abstract

A test based on the inhibition by antibodies of the trans-sialidase was used to analyze infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease. Sera collected during the longitudinal follow-up of benznidazole-treated acutely and congenitally infected patients became negative for T. cruzi as determined by tests presently used to assess cure; however, the sera remained positive for T. cruzi by the trans-sialidase inhibition assay (TIA) up to 14 years after treatment. Therefore, TIA is a highly sensitive marker for previous T. cruzi infection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chagas Disease / congenital
  • Chagas Disease / drug therapy
  • Chagas Disease / immunology*
  • Child
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Neuraminidase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitroimidazoles / therapeutic use
  • Paraguay
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic
  • Reference Values
  • Time Factors
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Nitroimidazoles
  • Neuraminidase
  • benzonidazole