Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a vector-borne infection with potentially severe cardiac and neurological complications during acute infection or reactivation. Endemic to Latin America, sporadic cases also occur in the United States. Diagnosis of acute CD is by microscopy of whole blood or tissue and/or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, however, sensitivity of microscopy may be lower in labs that do not routinely perform it. PCR is more sensitive and is available through commercial send-out labs, but due to the non-specific nature of acute CD, diagnosis is less likely to be considered outside of highly endemic areas. Microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) testing, such as the Karius Spectrum® test, is a noninvasive diagnostic modality with broad pathogen detection. Karius may be particularly valuable when the diagnosis is not suspected or when infection is suspected but there are delays or barriers to traditional testing. Here we report five cases—one child and four adults—of CD diagnosed by microbial cell-free DNA testing. [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] METHODS: We collected clinical, laboratory and demographic information on patients diagnosed with CD using the Karius Spectrum® test, turnaround time, and impact on the management of the patients at four institutions: Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Dell Medical Center, Froedtert Hospital, and UCLA Medical Center. [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] RESULTS: Five patients (4 adults, 1 child) tested positive for T. cruzi by the Karius Spectrum® test; diagnosis was not initially suspected in four. One case involved suspected Chagas reactivation. Patients (2 male, 3 female; ages 12 months–88 years) presented with fever and variable symptoms. Four were started on empiric therapy before results. Test turnaround was 2–5 days. Three improved after treatment; two expired. Case 1: 12-month-old male with cardiomyopathy (Figure 1). Case 2: 88-year-old female with necrotizing encephalitis (Figure 2). Case 3: 71-year-old female with Chagoma and cellulitis (Figure 3). Case 4: 41-year-old male with orbital cellulitis (Figure 4). Case 5: 50-year-old female with reactivation of known CD. CONCLUSION: The detection of microbial cell free DNA in blood can rapidly confirm the diagnosis of Chagas disease and it is a particularly valuable test when the diagnosis is not clinically suspected. DISCLOSURES: All Authors: No reported disclosures