Trypanosoma cruzi Total Antibody (Sendout)

Useful For:

• Diagnosis of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas disease)

Ordering Guidance: This is the preferred initial serologic test for diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The CDC recommends performing 2 independent tests for the serologic diagnosis of Chagas disease¹. See test RTRYPG (Trypanosoma cruzi Antibody, IgG) to ARUP Laboratories for a second independent assay.

Reference Value: Negative.

Interpretation:

• Negative: No antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) detected. Antibodies to T cruzi may be absent during acute infection, therefore a negative result cannot be used to rule out recent infection. Repeat testing in 3 to 4 weeks is recommended if clinically indicated.
• Indeterminate: Repeat testing in 2 to 3 weeks if clinically indicated.
• Reactive: Antibodies to T cruzi detected. Result is not diagnostic. Supplemental testing by a second, different T cruzi serologic assay is recommended.

Cautions:

False-positive results may occur in patients infected with Leishmania or other Trypanosoma species, including Trypanosoma rangeli.

Diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease requires both clinical evaluation (including exposure history) and laboratory testing. Chagas disease should not be diagnosed based on a single serologic result alone.

A single negative result does not exclude the diagnosis of Chagas disease as antibodies to the pathogen may not yet be detectable. Sensitivity of the assay may be decreased in significantly immunosuppressed patients.

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial. Freeze serum at -20°C.

Stability: Frozen (Required): 14 days; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Reject Due To: Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia.

Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial. Freeze serum at -20°C.

Sendouts:

• Order Mayo Test: CHAGS.
• Interfaced: Yes.

Stability: Frozen (Required): 14 days; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Reject Due To: Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia.