Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
TESA-blot test accurately detects Chagas disease in dogs from Brazil
By Umezawa, E S et al.·Published in Acta tropica·2009·Universidade de Sã, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: TESA-blot for the diagnosis of Chagas disease in dogs from co-endemic regions for Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma evansi and Leishmania chagasi.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that a new blood test called TESA-blot can accurately diagnose dogs infected with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. This test showed 100% accuracy in identifying infected dogs, while other tests had lower accuracy rates. In areas where Chagas disease is common, about 9.3% of dogs tested positive with TESA-blot. This test is especially useful because it can tell the difference between dogs infected with T. cruzi and those with other similar infections. The TESA-blot could help veterinarians better diagnose and treat affected dogs.
People also search for: dog Chagas disease symptoms · TESA-blot test for dogs · diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs
Abstract
We standardized serodiagnosis of dogs infected with Trypanosoma cruzi using TESA (trypomastigote excreted-secreted antigen)-blot developed for human Chagas disease. TESA-blot showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. In contrast, ELISA using TESA (TESA-ELISA) or epimastigotes (epi-ELISA) as antigen yielded 100% sensitivity but specificity of 94.1% and 49.4%, respectively. When used in field studies in an endemic region for Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis and Trypanosoma evansi (Mato Grosso do Sul state, Central Brazil), positivities were 9.3% for TESA-blot, 10.7% for TESA-ELISA and 32% for epi-ELISA. Dogs from a non-endemic region for these infections (Rondonia state, western Amazonia) where T. cruzi is enzootic showed positivity of 4.5% for TESA-blot and epi-ELISA and 6.8% for TESA-ELISA. Sera from urban dogs from Santos, São Paulo, where these diseases are absent, yielded negative results. TESA-blot was the only method that distinguished dogs infected with T. cruzi from those infected with Leishmania chagasi and/or Trypanosoma evansi.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19426657/