Trypanosoma cruzi Serology

This test is referred to another lab outside our network
This does not affect where samples are sent and where your results are issued.
Description: 
Sample sent to Hospital for Tropical Diseases (PHE National Parasitology Reference Lab) referral laboratory for Trypanosoma cruzi serology testing. This includes a Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) using formalinised Leishmania donovani promastigotes as the antigen, and a rK39 antibody detection assay. This is not suitable for testing for Trypanosoma brucei infection (the parasite that causes sleeping sickness and human African trypanosomiasis).
Clinical details: 
This parasite is typically transmitted via. the bite of a triatomine bug in endemic areas of South America. Transmission can also occur from mother-to-child and via. blood transfusion. Major chronic manifestations are cardiomyopathy and gastrointestinal disease.
Synonyms or keywords: 
Chagas disease, Trypanosomiasis
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
500 ul serum or 2.5 – 5ml Yellow Top Serum Separation Tube (SST) Clotted Blood (for serum).
Turnaround time: 
14 days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). To prevent sample haemolysis please store samples in refrigerator if a delay in sending samples to CSR is unavoidable.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Virology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 24/11/2017