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.
Past evaluations
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.
Related links
Publications
-
Circonstances et modalités d’utilisation des tests d’infection récente pour estimer l’incidence de l’infection à HIV au niveau d’une population.
pdf, 2.39Mb -
When and how to use assays for recent infection to estimate HIV incidence at a population level
pdf, 2.24Mb -
HIV Rapid Assays: Operational Characteristics Report 16
pdf, 2.28Mb - View all documents
Key events
- WHO Prequalification of Medicines, Diagnostics and Vaccines: 6th Consultative Meeting with Stakeholders, 4-5 April 2011
- WHO Technical Working Group Meeting on CD 4 Technologies,17 -19 November 2009
- WHO Technical Working Group Meeting on Prequalification of HIV Virological Technologies, 21-23 September 2009
- View all events
