Chagas Disease: Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi by a New, High-Specific Real Time PCR
Kann S, Kunz M, Hansen J, Sievertsen J, Crespo JJ, Loperena A, Arriens S, Dandekar T (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 9
Journal Issue: 5
DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051517
Abstract
Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a major burden in Latin America, expanding also to non-endemic countries. A gold standard to detect the CD causing pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi is currently not available. Existing real time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) lack sensitivity and/or specificity. We present a new, highly specific RT-PCR for the diagnosis and monitoring of CD. Material and Methods: We analyzed 352 serum samples from Indigenous people living in high endemic CD areas of Colombia using three leading RT-PCRs (k-DNA-, TCZ-, 18S rRNA-PCR), the newly developed one (NDO-PCR), a Rapid Test/enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence. Eighty-seven PCR-products were verified by sequence analysis after plasmid vector preparation. Results: The NDO-PCR showed the highest sensitivity (92.3%), specificity (100%), and accuracy (94.3%) for T. cruzi detection in the 87 sequenced samples. Sensitivities and specificities of the kDNA-PCR were 89.2%/22.7%, 20.5%/100% for TCZ-PCR, and 1.5%/100% for the 18S rRNA-PCR. The kDNA-PCR revealed a 77.3% false positive rate, mostly due to cross-reactions with T. rangeli (NDO-PCR 0%). TCZ- and 18S rRNA-PCR showed a false negative rate of 79.5% and 98.5% (NDO-PCR 7.7%), respectively. Conclusions: The NDO-PCR demonstrated the highest specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy compared to leading PCRs. Together with serologic tests, it can be considered as a reliable tool for CD detection and can improve CD management significantly.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin (BNITM) / Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Germany (DE)
Organization Wiwa Yugumaiun Bunkuanarrua Tayrona (OWYBT)
Colombia (CO)
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Organization Wiwa Yugumaiun Bunkuanarrua Tayrona (OWYBT)
Colombia (CO)
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Kann, S., Kunz, M., Hansen, J., Sievertsen, J., Crespo, J.J., Loperena, A.,... Dandekar, T. (2020). Chagas Disease: Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi by a New, High-Specific Real Time PCR. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9051517
MLA:
Kann, Simone, et al. "Chagas Disease: Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi by a New, High-Specific Real Time PCR." Journal of Clinical Medicine 9.5 (2020).
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