POLYMERASE-CHAIN-REACTION PROCEDURE TO DETECT TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI IN BLOOD-SAMPLES FROM CHRONIC CHAGASIC PATIENTS

The feasibility of DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction for specific detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in human blood was investi gated. We have used primers flanking a 220-bp fragment of highly repet itive elements, the E13 element, in T. cruzi nuclear DNA. Only polymer ase chain reaction products from blood samples of chronic chagasic pat ients showed several amplified fragments in 1.6% agarose gels stained with ethidium bromide. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that the 22 0-bp amplified fragment is specific for T. cruzi DNA and very useful t o detect the presence of the parasite in blood from chronic chagasic p atients. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.