Use of micro-ELISA for quantitating antibody to Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli
Anthony, R.L.; Johnson, C.M.; Sousa, O.E.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 28(6): 969-973
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 116559 Document Number: 144016
A study was made of 229 persons in a village in Panama where both Trypanosoma cruzi and T. rangeli are endemic. 52% were positive to one or both of these species by the micro-ELISA test, 26% were positive by complement fixation, 17% by direct agglutination and 32% by clinical impression. Of 61 cases of T. rangeli infection confirmed by xenodiagnosis, 22 were false-negative by ELISA and 6 had antibody to T. cruzi. 55 of the Panamanian villagers had antibody to both T. cruzi and T. rangeli and among 52 sera from confirmed Bolivian cases of T. cruzi infection 33 (63%) reacted positively with T. rangeli antigen. Apparently cross reaction between the 2 antigens is common.