Le diagnostic biologique de la maladie de Chagas

Either two ELISA or an IIF and an ELISA, with an IIF or a second ELISA in case of inconclusive results, are used in France at the present. Because of its lack of sensitivity, the PCR cannot be considered as a diagnostic tool in chronic phase. It has howewer a role to play in that of the congenital forms, in the surveillance of the reactivations and post therapeutic follow up. Tests for fast diagnosis(TDR) based on the principle of the immunochromatography, are available. More are not validated. They use synthetic peptides and recombinant antigens. Their specificity is good, but their sensitivity is still insuffisant, about 93 % for the only validated, certified CE, unavailable in France.