By Pinazo MJ, Forsyth CJ, Lopez-Albizu C, Bisio MMC, González-Martínez A, Bohorquez L, Pinto J, Molina I, Marchiol A, Herazo R, Galván IL, Marques T, Barreira F, Villar JC, Sguassero Y, Santini MS, Altcheh J, Alarcón de Noya B, Sosa-Estani S. Frontiers in Parasitology 2023, 2. doi: 10.3389/fpara.2023.1241154
Summary: Infection with the causative agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is diagnosed by parasitological, molecular, and serological tests. Molecular methods, based on DNA amplification, are more sensitive than parasitological techniques and are preferred in cases of congenital and oral transmission, and parasite reactivation in chronically infected immunosuppressed individuals. Recent clinical guidelines have included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect therapeutic failure after antiparasitic treatment in chronically infected adults. Increasing evidence supports the use of molecular tests in a clinical context, given the improved sensitivity and specificity of current assays. In this perspective article, the authors discuss the attributes of PCR and other molecular tests for clinical management in people with T. cruzi infection.
