ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL KITS USED FOR CH AGAS-DISEASE DETECTION IN BLOOD-BANKS .2. ROUTINE APPLICATION

Aiming to study the applicability and reproducibility of four commerci al kits used for the serological detection of Chagas disease (Chagates t-Inst Invest Paraguay, Ortho Chagas, Abbott Chagas (ELISA tests) and Estabilgen Hemo Chagas (indirect hemagglutination test)), a comparativ e serological study was performed in 256 sera samples coming from a hi ghly endemic area, 249 samples from a low endemic area, 180 reference sera and 2264 samples coming from three blood banks. Specificity of th e kits was excellent and sensitivity ranged from 60 to 100%. The indir ect hemagglutination test has the lower sensitivity. Some disagreement s in the results were observed in the three blood banks, probably due to an unsatisfactory reactive management. We conclude that ELISA tests should be recommended for routine detection of Chagas disease and tha t for this purpose, a net of laboratories under the direction of a nat ional reference center should exist. This center should assess new com mercial products, train technicians and supervise the laboratories.