摘要: Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major source of morbidity and death in Latin America. Many infected immigrants from that region now reside United States, posing risk transfusion-associated transmission organism. Serologic testing cornerstone diagnosing chronic T. cruzi infections, improved assays are needed. Drug treatment problematic because two available drugs can have severe side effects lack efficacy. infection be particularly immunosuppressed patients.