Home Data Information Medical Providers Submission and Testing Resources
Chagas disease,
caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, became reportable to
DSHS in 2013. The resulting heightened awareness of this disease, in
addition to the institution of blood donor screening, has led to increased
requests for clinical testing by medical providers.
Serologic
screening tests for chronic Chagas disease are available at several commercial
laboratories. Confirmatory serologic testing
for chronic Chagas disease and molecular testing (PCR) for acute Chagas disease
are available at the CDC. If you wish to test a patient for Chagas
disease, please note the following:
- CDC
will not accept serologic specimens for initial screening for chronic
Chagas disease. Serologic screening should first be performed at a
commercial laboratory. Patients testing positive are eligible for
confirmatory testing at CDC.
- All
specimens to be tested at CDC must be submitted to the DSHS laboratory and
not directly to CDC. The DSHS laboratory will forward all specimens
to CDC.
- Providers
wishing to submit samples to CDC must consult with the DSHS
Regional Zoonosis Control (ZC) program prior to sample submission.
Laboratory
testing recommendations for Chagas disease can be complex. Below are
links to a clinical testing algorithm and list of
major commercial laboratories that test for Chagas disease and contact
information for DSHS Regional ZC staff:
For more
information, please visit the CDC Chagas disease webpage at www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/.
To request a consultation prior to sample
submission, or if you have other questions about Chagas disease, please contact
the appropriate DSHS Regional Zoonosis Control office.