Survey on experiences with latex-Chagas-test in various countries.

The principle of the latex agglutination technique was applied on the serodiagnosis of Chagas' disease. The latex particles coated with antigen from Trypanosoma cruzi are agglutinated by antibodies against T. cruzi in the serum of patients suffering thereof. In 11600 comparative determinations worked out mainly in a number of South American laboratories, the sensitivity of this test was compared with xenodiagnosis, CF, IFT and IHA. The latex Chagas test shows a mean coincidence of 90% with xenodiagnosis, 88% with CF, 75% with IFT, and 83% with IHA. The results indicate that the test is a useful new tool for the serodiagnosis of Chagas' disease. Also the data from CF, IFT and IHA were compared with each other. The latex Chagas test is sensitive even in the early stage of the disease. Also the specificity of the test was evaluated in other parasitic, bacterial and general diseases.