Use of the polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) for early evaluation of etiological treatment in young adults chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

Fourteen patients (age limits: 18-30) chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and presenting positive blood PCR reactions, were submitted to etiological treatment with benznidazole, in Salta, Argentina. A control group of five patients of the same age and positive by PCR did not receive treatment. Post-treatment follow-up was performed with PCR and conventional serology. PCR became negative in 12/14 (85.7%) of the treated patients after six months follow up, compared to 1/5 (20%) in the control group (p = 0.01). All patients remained serologically positive after treatment.The reduction of PCR signals of infection after treatment may become an early evidence of cure in chronically infected young adult patients.