LONG-LASTING IGM AND IGG REACTIVITIES AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI ANTIGENS IN HUMAN CASES OF CHAGAS-DISEASE

Eight Trypanosoma cruzi antigens obtained by recombinant DNA technique s were used to analyze IgM and IgG specificities in sera from the foll ow-up of 16 patients with Chagas disease. Nine of these patients, who were resistant to chemotherapeutic treatment, had antigen-specific IgM and IgG responses that lasted for years. IgG specificities were highl y variable among patients in terms of date of appearance and persisten ce in sera. A second group of seven patients studied were parasitologi cally cured after treatment. Sera from all of them became negative soo n after chemotherapy to all antigens tested. Comparison of the results obtained with defined antigens and by conventional serology points to the relevance of using individual antigens to follow the outcome of c hemotherapeutic trials.