Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi in human tissues using an immunoperoxidase method: study of acute Chagas disease, congenital form
Landman, G.; Correa Alves, A.; Mendes, N.F.; Mendes, E.
Allergologia et Immunopathologia 14(6): 509-513
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-0546 PMID: 2435138 Document Number: 270385
The immunoperoxidase technique using a polyclonal T. cruzi rabbit antiserum was compared with the routine hematoxylin-eosin staining procedure in the study of two cases of congenital Chagas disease. Comparatively, the immunoperoxidase technique gave better results than that using hematoxylin-eosin in identification of T. cruzi. The immunoperoxidase technique detected T. cruzi nests in unsuspected sites like lungs and testes, in which the hematoxylin-eosin stain failed to demonstrate their presence. In the two cases studied there was no evidence of positive immunoperoxidase reaction which could suggest the presence of cross-antigens between T. cruzi and host tissues, in the heart, gastrointestinal tract or other organs. These negative results are discussed.