Detection and significance of inapparent infection in chagas disease in western Venezuela
Resumen
Inapparent infections of Trypanosoma cruzi were detected in symptomless seropositive people living
in close proximity, and under the same conditions of risk, to patients with acute Chagas disease. Similar
infections were also detected in sera samples of people from 25 villages of western Venezuela where Chagas
disease is endemic. Seropositivity in all the 1,251 studied samples was established by use of 3 serological
methods (direct agglutination test, indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay). Each seropositive sample was tested for detection of anti–T. cruzi–specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and
IgG levels and specific T. cruzi infection by molecular methodology (polymerase chain reaction assay). The
combined analysis of the serologic (IgM and IgG levels), molecular (specific T. cruzi DNA), and statistical
findings demonstrated the existence of a different stage of T. cruzi infection in asymptomatic patients, which is
suggested to be recognized as inapparent infection. Its definition, significance, and comparison with typical
Chagas disease phases are presented, and its potential epidemiological importance is discussed.
Colecciones
Información Adicional
Correo Electrónico | nanes@ula.ve agustinarojas@yahoo.com gecr68@hotmail.com hugo@ula.ve borgesr@ula.ve jramirez@reacciun.ve |
Editor | Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 65(3), 2001 |
Colación | 227–232 |