Chagas test kit evaluations Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi
causing Chagas disease is mainly endemic in South and Latin
America. Nevertheless, other parts of the world such as the USA
and parts of Europe are considering testing all blood donations
for T. cruzi due to migration of people from endemic areas and
changing travel patterns (e.g.eco tourism). Composition of the
panel Evaluations of test kits that are primarily produced in
Latin America are carried out by the WHO Collaborating Centre,
Fundação Pró-Sangue, São Paulo, Brazil on the WHO reference
panel of serum/ plasma specimens collected from within the
region. A total of 18 tests have been evaluated, including 11
ELISAs, 7 agglutination tests. Four confirmatory assays,
including an immunofluorescence, immunoblot, Western blot and
radio-immunoprecipitation (RIPA) tests were used to characterise
the panel. The obtained data are being used for the development
guidelines and appropriate testing strategies. Circonstances et
modalités d’utilisation des tes