Can Chagas disease be detected by blood test?
During the acute phase of infection, parasites may be seen circulating in the blood. The diagnosis of Chagas disease can be made by observation of the parasite in a blood smear by microscopic examination.
What does Chagas disease do?
Also called American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease can infect anyone. Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems. During the acute phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease focuses on killing the parasite.
Should I get tested for Chagas?
A specific test is necessary for the diagnosis of Chagas disease. The test detects the presence of the infection through analysis of a blood sample. Anyone who suspects that they may have Chagas disease should ask their doctor to order this test.
Which Ectoparasite is responsible for Chagas disease?
The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas’ disease, and its transmission is mainly through a triatomine vector.
What is the incubation period for Chagas disease?
After the incubation period of 1 to 2 weeks, infected patients enter the acute phase of Chagas disease. Transfusion- and transplant-associated cases may have a longer incubation period, sometimes up to 120 days.
What are two ways Chagas disease can be spread?
How do people get Chagas disease?
- Congenital transmission (from a pregnant woman to her baby);
- Blood transfusions;
- Organ transplantation;
- Consumption of uncooked food that is contaminated with feces (poop) from infected triatomine bugs; and.
- Accidental laboratory exposure.
Can you get Chagas disease twice?
I have had Chagas disease before. Can I get it again? A person who has had Chagas disease and has been cured can be reinfected through any of the routes of transmission. For this reason, preventive measures are essential to prevent reinfection.
Is Chagas disease a concern in the US?
Chagas disease, a potentially life-threatening disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, has become a concern in the United States as a result of human emigration from Latin America where Chagas disease is endemic (1).
Where is Chagas disease most common?
People who have Chagas disease can be found anywhere in the world. However, transmission of the disease by kissing bugs (vectorborne transmission), only occurs in the Americas. Most people with Chagas disease became infected in rural areas of Mexico, Central America, and South America.
How is the diagnosis of Chagas disease made?
During the acute phase or during reactivation because of immunosuppression (which can be caused by old age, radiation, chemotherapy or AIDS), diagnosis is made by direct detection of the parasite circulating in the bloodstream.
How long does the acute phase of Chagas disease last?
The initial acute phase lasts for about two months after infection. During this phase, a high number of parasites circulate in the blood.
What does a positive PCR test mean for Chagas disease?
A positive PCR test, like the microscope test, indicates that T. cruzi organisms are present in the bloodstream.
Can a person with Chagas disease donate blood again?
You should contact the blood bank about possible retesting to see if you can donate blood again. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new rules about how donors who tested false positive can be evaluated to see if they are eligible to donate blood again. If you were diagnosed by your doctor, you cannot donate blood.
During the acute phase or during reactivation because of immunosuppression (which can be caused by old age, radiation, chemotherapy or AIDS), diagnosis is made by direct detection of the parasite circulating in the bloodstream.
A positive PCR test, like the microscope test, indicates that T. cruzi organisms are present in the bloodstream.
The initial acute phase lasts for about two months after infection. During this phase, a high number of parasites circulate in the blood.
Can you get Chagas disease if your blood test is negative?
Yes. In the United States, donors are tested once and if the result of their test is negative for T. cruzi infection, they will not be tested when they donate again at that blood bank. If my blood tests positive on the screening test, does that mean I have Chagas disease? Probably.