Laboratory Test Guide

Trypanosoma cruzi Total Antibody (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name

Trypanosoma cruzi Total Antibody (Sendout)

Lab Code

RCHAGS

Epic Name

Trypanosoma cruzi Total Antibody (Sendout)

External Test Id

CHAGS

Description

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.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Laboratory Diagnosis of American Trypanosomiasis

Synonyms

American trypanosomiasis, Chagas, Chagas disease, CHAGS, Kissing bug, Reduviid, T. cruzi, Triatoma, Trypanosoma, Trypanosomiasis

Components

Code Name
RCHAGR Trypanosoma cruzi Total Antibody

Interpretation

Method

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Reference Range

See individual components

Ref. Range Notes

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.

Interferences and Limitations

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.

Guidelines

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

3 mL blood in GOLD SST or RED TOP tube

Handling Instructions

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.

Quantity

requested: 0.7 mL serum
minimum: 0.6 mL serum

Processing

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.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Sendouts Mayo Lab (FZ) (MAFZ)

Performing Location(s)

Sendout Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Superior Drive)
800-533-1710

3050 Superior Drive NW
Rochester, MN 55901

Frequency

Performed: Monday. Report Available: 1-8 days.

Available STAT?

No

Billing & Coding

CPT codes

86753

LOINC

57320-4