ELISA versus PCR for diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most current guidelines recommend two serological tests to diagnose chronic Chagas disease. When serological tests are persistently inconclusive, some guidelines recommend molecular tests. The aim of this investigation was to review chronic Chagas disease diagnosis literature and to summarize results of ELISA and PCR performance.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted searching remote databases (MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, SCOPUS and ISIWeb) and full texts bibliography for relevant abstracts. In addition, manufacturers of commercial tests were contacted. Original investigations were eligible if they estimated sensitivity and specificity, or reliability -or if their calculation was possible - of ELISA or PCR tests, for chronic Chagas disease.

Results

Heterog

SUBMITTER: Brasil PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3004908 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature