TABLE 1.
Characteristics of the study populations and specimens used in this evaluation
| Characteristic | Biomarkers study | Congenital Chagas disease study | Community study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | Hospital in Santa Cruz | Hospital in the Chaco | Villages in the Chaco |
| Population | Adults with and without heart disease | Pregnant women presenting for delivery | Children up to 17 yr |
| Total no. | 108 | 277 | 200 |
| Mean age, yr (range) | 56.0 (22–83) | 24.3 (15–42) | 9.5 (2–17) |
| % Female | 50.9 | 100 | 47.0 |
| Sample collection dates | April to May 2013 | April 2013 to February 2014 | September to December 2011 |
| Specimen type(s) | Paired serum and whole blood | Paired serum and whole blood | Archived serum |
| Positive results (%) by conventional serologya | 79/108 (73.1) | 134/277 (48.4) | 79/200 (39.5) |
a
Serological status based on indirect hemagglutination assay, immunofluorescent-antibody test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Final status was defined as positive if results were positive by at least two of the three tests and negative if results were positive by none or one of the assays.