Anti-F2/3 antibodies as cure marker in children with congenital Trypanosoma cruzi infection

ALTCHEH J; CORRAL R; BIANCARDI MA; FREILIJ H

MEDICINA (BUENOS AIRES)

MEDICINA (BUENOS AIRES)

Lugar: Buenos Aires; Año: 2003 vol. 63 p. 37 - 40

0025-7680

The F2/3 antigenic fraction isolated from Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotescontains epitopes recognised by antibodies which are representative of activeinfection. The kinetics of disappearance of conventional serology (CS) andanti-F2/3 antibodies were compared in 21 patients with congenital Chagas disease after receiving benznidazole treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups: (A) Age < 8 months at diagnosis; (B) Age > 9 months at diagnosis. Group A presentednegative outcome for CS at 6.6 mo. (CI95 3.4-9.8 mo.) and for anti-F2/3 at 4 mo. (CI95 0.9-7.1 mo.), p = 0.18. Group B exhibited non-reactive CS at 63.1 mo. (CI9542.1-84.2 mo.) whereas anti-F2/3 antibody determination became negative at 21.9mo. (CI95 5.7-38.1 mo.), p = 0.0025. In patients belonging to group A, antibodieswere undetectable by both CS and anti-F2/3 ELISA soon after receivingchemotherapy. In infants included into group B, a negative result for anti-F2/3antibody detection significantly anticipated the disappearance of CS reactivity. Consequently, an anti-F2/3 antibody assay becoming negative should be considered as an early marker for assessment of cure, particularly in those patients withprolonged time of infection.