Persistent vaginal bleeding during gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender men.

PURPOSE: While it is common for menstrual cycles to cease within the initial 6 months of treatment, there are instances where some transgender men may not experience this cessation. We analyzed transgender men undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) with testosterone who experienced breakthrough bleeding in order to identify the factors associated with this condition. METHODS: In this case-control study, 24 transgender men in the case group and 48 in the control group were assessed for clinical, sociodemographic, hormonal, and body composition variables using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. All participants had been on GATH for at least 6 months. RESULTS: A few transgender men experienced persistent breakthrough bleeding, which was associated with decreased testosterone levels and free androgen index (FAI) compared with controls (p = 0.002 and p = 0.008, respectively). Among individuals with breakthrough bleeding, 50% had testosterone levels below the lowest tertile calculated for the sample, compared with 18.8% on controls (p = 0.007). After therapy adjustment, testosterone levels increased compared with the values obtained in the initial bleeding episode (p = 0.031). Eight transgender men required the addition of an oral progestogen to achieve amenorrhea, and these individuals had higher BMI than those in whom the adjustment of the parenteral testosterone dose was adequate (p = 0.026). A univariate prevalence ratio analysis revealed a negative association of persistent bleeding with testosterone levels (p = 0.028) and FAI levels (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Higher BMI and lower levels of testosterone and FAI were the main factors associated with breakthrough bleeding in transgender men.

Conjugated linoleic acid trans-10, cis-12 increases the expression of genes from cell cycle progression and cis-9, trans-11 stimulates apoptotic genes in different mammary tumor explants of female dogs.

BACKGROUND: The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer cis-9, trans-11 is an anticarcinogen that inhibits cell proliferation and/or induces apoptosis of tumor cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of genes responsible for cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in tumor explants of mammary anaplastic carcinoma (AC) and mammary tubulopapillary carcinoma (TC) cultured in vitro with the CLA isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12. METHODS: In this study we used mammary explants from two adult female dogs that revealed two types of malignant tumors: (a) anaplastic mammary carcinoma (AC) and (b) mammary tubulopapillary carcinoma (TC). The explants (n = 6 per treatment) had an average weight of 80.0 ± 2.0 mg and were cultured for 24 h in 35 mm culture plates under the following treatments: (a) Control: Culture medium + fatty acid free bovine serum albumin (BSA); (b) Culture medium + cis-9, trans-11 CLA (75 µM) diluted with fatty acid free bovine serum albumin (BSA), and; (c) Culture medium + trans-10, cis-12 CLA (75 µM) diluted with fatty acid free bovine serum albumin (BSA). After that, total RNA was extracted, complementary DNA was synthesized (cDNA), and quantitative analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. RESULTS: Compared with the Control, the CLA trans-10, cis-12 treatment decreased expression of the gene encoding the p53 by 20% (P = 0.02), Caspase-3 by 25% (P = 0.06) and Bax by 51% (P = 0.001) in AC. The CLA cis-9, trans-11 increased the gene expression of proapoptotic protein Bax in TC by 68% (P = 0.01), but increased the expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene in AC by 72% (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The CLA cis-9, trans-11 stimulates apoptotic genes in mammary tubulopapillary carcinoma, but has a contrary effect on the anaplastic carcinoma, and the CLA trans-10, cis-12 stimulates cell cycle progression genes and may have an antiapoptotic effect, mainly in mammary anaplastic carcinoma.

High prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders and risk factors in a semi-urban brazilian city: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) are defined as lesions with a greater likelihood of progressing to cancer. Population-based studies that evaluate the prevalence of OPMDs are scarce in Brazil. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of OPMDs and associated risk factors in a semi-urban Brazilian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, whose universe included individuals aged 40 years or older residing in a medium-sized city of northeastern Brazil. Data collection was divided into two steps: interview and oral examination. The outcome variable was the presence of OPMDs. The predictor variables were sociodemographic characteristics and risk habits. The bivariate analysis was performed through chi-square test. The crude prevalence ratios (PR) and its respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was used to calculate adjusted PRs and 95% CI. RESULTS: Three hundred fourteen individuals were included in the study. When asked about risk habits, 58.9% reported being current smokers or ex-smokers and 62.2% reported being current drinkers or ex-drinkers. The prevalence of OPMDs was 7.6% and was significantly higher among individuals with black skin color (p < 0.001), alcohol users (p = 0.017), and individuals with both tobacco and alcohol habits (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the population in the present study had a high frequency of risk habits associated with PMDs of the oral cavity.

Effects of throat packs during orthognathic surgery: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Throat packs are commonly used in maxillofacial surgeries. However, the evidence to support the benefits of their use is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of throat packs in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, and their influence on the incidence of sore throat and dysphagia in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. This was a prospective double-blind randomized study with 54 patients, who were randomized to two groups: with throat pack (n=27) and without throat pack (n=27). Fifty patients (25 in each group) were included in the analysis; 66% female and 34% male, mean age 29.44±8.53 years. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (Kortilla scale), sore throat (visual analogue scale), and dysphagia were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in favour of the without-pack group were found for the variables throat pain at 24hours (P=0.002) and dysphagia at 2 hours (P=0.007) and 24 hours (P<0.001). There was no difference between the groups regarding postoperative nausea and vomiting (P=1.00). The results of this study indicate that throat packs as utilized here do not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting and are associated with worse sore throats and postoperative dysphagia.

Biology of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite on Strawberry Plants.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is commonly found on strawberry crops (Fragaria x ananassa). Strawberry plants have defensive mechanisms, which in turn influence the behavior of herbivores. The oviposition and development of the two-spotted spider mite were evaluated on the leaf disks of the cultivars 'Aromas,' 'Camarosa,' 'Camino Real,' 'Diamante,' 'Diamante 10,' 'Diamante 50,' 'Festival,' and 'Seascape.' It was observed that on cultivars such as 'Aromas,' 'Camarosa,' and 'Seascape,' immature survivorship was higher, but no difference was found during the developmental period from egg to adult of T. urticae. The immature development time was also longer on 'Camarosa.' Females laid more eggs on 'Seascape' (8.4 eggs/day), and the least on 'Camarosa' (1.0 egg/day). Mortality was higher at the larval stage and reached more than 50% in three cultivars 'Camarosa,' 'Diamante,' and 'Seascape.' Thus, the cultivars 'Camarosa,' 'Diamante,' and 'Seascape' were the ones that mostly affected the survival, development, and reproduction of T. urticae.

Reversal of the anticoagulant and anti-hemostatic effect of low molecular weight heparin by direct prothrombin activation

Lopap, found in the bristles of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar, is the first exogenous prothrombin activator that shows serine protease-like activity, independent of prothrombinase components and unique lipocalin reported to interfere with hemostasis mechanisms. To assess the action of an exogenous prothrombin activator reversing the anticoagulant and antihemostatic effect induced by low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), male New Zealand rabbits (N = 20, weighing 3.8-4.0 kg) allocated to 4 groups were anticoagulated with 1800 IU/kg LMWH (iv) over 2 min, followed by iv administration of saline (SG) or recombinant Lopap (rLopap) at 1 µg/kg (LG1) or 10 µg/kg (LG10), 10 min after the injection of LMWH, in a blind manner. Control animals (CG) were treated only with saline. The action of rLopap was assessed in terms of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin fragment F1+2, fibrinogen, and ear puncture bleeding time (BT) at 5, 10, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 90 min after initiation of LMWH infusion. LG10 animals showed a decrease of aPTT in more than 50% and BT near to normal baseline. The level of prothrombin fragment F1+2 measured by ELISA had a 6-fold increase with rLopap treatment (10 µg/kg) and was inversely proportional to BT in LMWH-treated animals. Thus, Lopap, obtained in recombinant form using E. coli expression system, was useful in antagonizing the effect of LMWH through direct prothrombin activation, which can be a possible strategy for the reversal of bleeding and anticoagulant events.

Reversal of the anticoagulant and anti-hemostatic effect of low molecular weight heparin by direct prothrombin activation.

Lopap, found in the bristles of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar, is the first exogenous prothrombin activator that shows serine protease-like activity, independent of prothrombinase components and unique lipocalin reported to interfere with hemostasis mechanisms. To assess the action of an exogenous prothrombin activator reversing the anticoagulant and antihemostatic effect induced by low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), male New Zealand rabbits (N = 20, weighing 3.8-4.0 kg) allocated to 4 groups were anticoagulated with 1800 IU/kg LMWH (iv) over 2 min, followed by iv administration of saline (SG) or recombinant Lopap (rLopap) at 1 µg/kg (LG1) or 10 µg/kg (LG10), 10 min after the injection of LMWH, in a blind manner. Control animals (CG) were treated only with saline. The action of rLopap was assessed in terms of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin fragment F1+2, fibrinogen, and ear puncture bleeding time (BT) at 5, 10, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 90 min after initiation of LMWH infusion. LG10 animals showed a decrease of aPTT in more than 50% and BT near to normal baseline. The level of prothrombin fragment F1+2 measured by ELISA had a 6-fold increase with rLopap treatment (10 µg/kg) and was inversely proportional to BT in LMWH-treated animals. Thus, Lopap, obtained in recombinant form using E. coli expression system, was useful in antagonizing the effect of LMWH through direct prothrombin activation, which can be a possible strategy for the reversal of bleeding and anticoagulant events.

Evaluation of an ELISA for canine leishmaniasis immunodiagnostic using recombinant proteins.

The present work describes the isolation and purification of two Leishmania chagasi (= syn. Leishmania infantum) recombinant proteins, rLci2B and rLci1A, and their use in the development of an immunoassay for the diagnostic of canine leishmaniasis. After protein expression and cell disruption, rLci2B was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography, whereas rLci1A, expressed as an inclusion body, was treated with urea and purified by anion-exchange chromatography. Homogeneities were ascertained by denaturing gel electrophoresis (MW (rLci2B) = 46,370; MW(rLci1A) = 88,400), isoelectric focusing (pI (rLci2B) = 5·91; pI (rLci1A) = 6·01) and Western blot. An indirect ELISA was developed using the purified antigens rLci2B and rLci1A and a leishmaniasis canine serum panel (n = 256). The ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity for rLci2B and 96% sensitivity and 92% specificity for rLci1A. The purified proteins did not present cross-reactivity with sera from dogs infected with Trypanosoma caninum, Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis. Cross-reaction was verified with sera from dogs infected with Leishmania brasiliensis (11·7% for rLci2B and 2·9% for rLci1A). Based on ELISA results, it is suggested the use of rLci2B and rLci1A as antigens in an alternative serological assay for diagnostic of canine leishmania.

Oviposition behavior of Grapholita molesta Busck (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) at different temperatures.

Cultivation of temperate-climate fruits is economically important for Brazil. Grapholita molesta Busck is a pest that causes damage to apples, peaches, plums, and pears growing in different micro-regions of southern Brazil, and understanding its reproductive behavior is essential to develop control strategies. The objective of this study was to ascertain the influence of different temperatures (13, 16, 19, 22, and 25ºC) on the oviposition behavior of G. molesta. Females of G. molesta were placed in individual plastic containers, and the pre-oviposition period and the number of eggs laid were assessed until adult death. Temperature influenced the pre-oviposition period, and females kept at 22º were the first to lay their eggs. Oviposition occurred over a longer period of time at 13ºC than at the higher temperatures. The highest total number of eggs was obtained at 19ºC, with the mean daily oviposition being directly proportional to the temperature. There was a negative interaction between the pre-oviposition period and the total number of eggs laid by females. The most suitable temperature for oviposition of G. molesta was 19ºC.

Cytokine levels in serious cardiopathy of Chagas disease after in vitro stimulation with recombinant antigens from Trypanosoma cruzi.

The clinical manifestations of human Chagas disease are associated with distinct and complex host-parasite interactions that directly involve the host's immune system. In this study, we analysed the relationship between the production of intracytoplasmic cytokines after in vitro stimulation with the recombinant antigens CRA (cytoplasmatic repetitive antigen) or FRA (flagellar repetitive antigen) from Trypanosoma cruzi and the chronic cardiac or indeterminate clinical forms of Chagas disease. The chagasic patient groups consisted of 39 individuals, selected at the Chagas Disease Unit of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital, whom presented either a cardiac form without cardiac dilatation (CARD 1), cardiac form with cardiac dilatation (CARD 2) or indeterminate form (IND). Blood samples were obtained from these patients and cultured in the presence of CRA or FRA. The cytokines produced by lymphocytes and monocytes after antigen stimulation were analysed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the IFN-γ and TNF-α, produced by CD8+ T lymphocytes after in vitro stimulation with CRA, differed among chagasic patients with CARD 1, CARD 2 or IND. We propose that these cytokines could be utilized as immunological markers for clinical cardiac forms of Chagas disease. In a prospective study of patients presenting IND and CARD 1, the assay performed in this paper could serve as a tool to monitor therapeutic interventions, thus improving the patient's quality of life.

Expression and purification of the immunogenically active fragment B of the Park Williams 8 Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain toxin.

The construction of a hexahistidine-tagged version of the B fragment of diphtheria toxin (DTB) represents an important step in the study of the biological properties of DTB because it will permit the production of pure recombinant DTB (rDTB) in less time and with higher yields than currently available. In the present study, the genomic DNA of the Corynebacterium diphtheriae Park Williams 8 (PW8) vaccine strain was used as a template for PCR amplification of the dtb gene. After amplification, the dtb gene was cloned and expressed in competent Escherichia coli M15 cells using the expression vector pQE-30. The lysate obtained from transformed E. coli cells containing the rDTB PW8 was clarified by centrifugation and purified by affinity chromatography. The homogeneity of the purified rDTB PW8 was confirmed by immunoblotting using mouse polyclonal anti-diphtheria toxoid antibodies and the immune response induced in animals with rDTB PW8 was evaluated by ELISA and dermonecrotic neutralization assays. The main result of the present study was an alternative and accessible method for the expression and purification of immunogenically reactive rDTB PW8 using commercially available systems. Data also provided preliminary evidence that rabbits immunized with rDTB PW8 are able to mount a neutralizing response against the challenge with toxigenic C. diphtheriae.

Expression and purification of the immunogenically active fragment B of the Park Williams 8 Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain toxin

The construction of a hexahistidine-tagged version of the B fragment of diphtheria toxin (DTB) represents an important step in the study of the biological properties of DTB because it will permit the production of pure recombinant DTB (rDTB) in less time and with higher yields than currently available. In the present study, the genomic DNA of the Corynebacterium diphtheriae Park Williams 8 (PW8) vaccine strain was used as a template for PCR amplification of the dtb gene. After amplification, the dtb gene was cloned and expressed in competent Escherichia coli M15™ cells using the expression vector pQE-30™. The lysate obtained from transformed E. coli cells containing the rDTB PW8 was clarified by centrifugation and purified by affinity chromatography. The homogeneity of the purified rDTB PW8 was confirmed by immunoblotting using mouse polyclonal anti-diphtheria toxoid antibodies and the immune response induced in animals with rDTB PW8 was evaluated by ELISA and dermonecrotic neutralization assays. The main result of the present study was an alternative and accessible method for the expression and purification of immunogenically reactive rDTB PW8 using commercially available systems. Data also provided preliminary evidence that rabbits immunized with rDTB PW8 are able to mount a neutralizing response against the challenge with toxigenic C. diphtheriae.

Effect of kinin B2 receptor ablation on skeletal muscle development and myostatin gene expression.

Bradykinin (BK) is an active peptide that binds to the kinin B(2) receptor and induces biological events during the development and adult life. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of kinin B(2) receptor ablation in the postnatal skeletal muscle development and body composition in adult life. For studies of skeletal muscle development, control (C57Bl6 - WT) and B(2) receptor knockout mice (B(2)(-/-)) were sacrificed at 15, 30 and 90days after birth, the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle was weighed and myostatin gene expression evaluated by real time PCR. For energy balance determination, data from control and B(2)(-/-) at 90 and 120days were collected by calorimetric method. Body composition at 120days was determined by chloroform-methanol (total body fat) and Lowry-modified method (total body protein). The results show that B(2)(-/-) have significantly increased total body weight at 15, 30 and 90days of life, when compared to WT. The weight of the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle was also significantly increased at 30 and 90days of life. Body composition analyses revealed that B(2)(-/-) mice exhibit more total corporal protein and less total corporal fat. Energy balance revealed that B(2)(-/-) have increased metabolizable energy intake and energy expenditure when compared to control mice, resulting in a lower energy gain. Interestingly, myostatin mRNA expression was significantly decreased in 15 and 30days old B(2)(-/-) mice and after icatibant treatment of WT adult mice for 5days. In conclusion, together our results show that kinin B(2) receptor deletion increases lean mass, reduces fat mass and improves metabolism efficiency in mice. The mechanism involved in this phenotype could be related to the reduction of myostatin gene expression during postnatal life.

Perception of oral maxillofacial surgery by health-care professionals.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), a dentistry specialty recognized by the Federal Dentistry Board in the mid-1960s, is responsible for the diagnosis, and clinical and surgical treatment of traumatic, congenital, developmental and iatrogenic lesions in the maxillofacial complex. Even today, difficulties are experienced owing to the lack of knowledge of the general public and health professionals concerning the scope of OMFS. To investigate recognition of the scope of OMFS, 400 questionnaires were sent to dentistry students, medical students, dentists and doctors, in 4 equal groups. The questionnaire covered 26 clinical situations in four different specialties (OMFS, Plastic Surgery, Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery) and an option with no specialty specified. Each interviewee had to correlate the clinical situation with the respective specialist. For facial trauma, dento-facial deformities, mandibular reconstruction and temporomandibular joint surgery, most respondents would consult the OMF surgeon for treatment (mean, 90%). In cases of oral biopsy and treatment of benign mandibular tumours the mean referral rate to OMFS was low (48%). On the basis of the questionnaire responses, a good level of knowledge of the scope of OMFS was found. In order to ensure the correct referral of all patients, the specialty needs to broaden its horizons.

Chagas' disease: IgG isotypes against cytoplasmic (CRA) and flagellar (FRA) recombinant repetitive antigens of Trypanosoma cruzi in chronic Chagasic patients.

The wide range of clinical Chagas' disease manifestations, of which heart involvement is the most significant, because of its characteristics, frequency and consequences, and lack of treatment and cure, justify research in this area. Specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody subclasses have been associated with human Chagas' disease. Thus, in this study, the profile of IgG subclasses against cytoplasmic (CRA) and flagellar (FRA) recombinant repetitive T. cruzi-specific antigens was correlated with cardiac (CARD, n=33), cardiodigestive (CD, n=7), and indeterminate (IND, n=20) forms of Chagas' disease by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG subclasses were detected in almost all Chagas patients studied. Nevertheless, only specific IgG2 isotype FRA was found with a significant statistical difference in CARD patients when compared to IND patients. This result suggests the potential use of this isotype for prognostic purposes, for monitoring the progression of chronic Chagas' disease, and for predicting the risk of CARD damage. This is important information, as it could help physicians to evaluate and manage the treatment of their patients. However, a follow-up study is necessary to confirm our result.

Canine visceral leishmaniosis: a comparative analysis of the EIE-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos and the IFI-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos kits.

This study evaluated the performance of the EIE-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos (EIE-LVC) kit and to compare it with that of the IFI-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos (IFI-LVC) kit. Four groups of dogs were studied: group 1 (G1), dogs with clinical signs indicative of CVL and testing positive for the parasite (n = 25); group 2 (G2), dogs with only a presumed diagnosis of CVL (n = 62); group 3 (G3), dogs that had never lived in an area where CVL is endemic and never received a blood transfusion (n = 16); group 4 (G4), dogs carrying other parasites: such as babesiosis (n = 4), ehrlichiosis (n = 6) and demodicosis (n = 1). G1 and G3 were used for the calculation of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The EIE-LVC showed a sensitivity of 72% (IC 95%: 50.4-87.1%) and a specificity of 87.5% (IC 95%: 60.4-97.8%). The value of the kappa index was 0.975 (CI 95%: 0.926-1.024), which represents an excellent fit. For IFI-LVC, the sensitivity was 68.0% (CI 95%: 46.4-84.3%) and the specificity 87.5% (CI 95%: 60.4-97.8%). When the tests were conducted in parallel, sensitivity was 92.0% (CI 95%: 72.5-98.6%) and specificity 75.0% (CI 95%: 47.4-91.7%). However, when conducted consecutively, the tests showed a sensitivity of 48.0% (CI 95%: 28.3-68.2%) and a specificity of 100.0% (CI 95%: 75.9-99.4%). The analysis of clinically suspected dogs using IFI-LVC and EIE-LVC kits in parallel, revealed that 26/62 animals were positive. Cross-reaction was observed in a dog with demodicosis. These results lead to the following conclusions: (1) the performance of the EIE-LVC kit is not statistically different from the IFI-LVC and (2) the kits must be used in parallel if higher sensitivity is required, reducing the number of false-negative results.

Chagas' disease diagnosis: comparative analysis of recombinant ELISA with conventional ELISA and the haemagglutination test.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Serological screening for Chagas' disease in the blood banks of South America is carried out by using two different assays that generally show a high number of inconclusive results. To establish a combination of two tests that can minimize the number of inconclusive results, we compared a recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with two conventional tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples from chagasic patients (n = 112), from non-chagasic individuals (n = 143) and from patients with other diseases (n = 32) were tested using three assays: recombinant ELISA (Rec-ELISA); conventional ELISA (Con-ELISA); and the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test. RESULTS: When we evaluated the data by matching the Rec-ELISA and the IHA test, 52 inconclusive results were obtained. When Rec-ELISA and Con-ELISA were matched, only four inconclusive results were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation indicates that the use of two ELISAs with different antigen preparations provides an effective test combination for blood bank screening of Chagas' disease.

Serodiagnosis of chronic Chagas infection by using EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos kit.

A kit based on an enzyme immunoassay, EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos, developed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, was evaluated for the serodiagnosis of chronic Chagas disease. Evaluation was performed with 368 serum samples collected from individuals living in an endemic area for Chagas disease: 131 patients in the chronic phase with confirmed clinical, epidemiological, and serological diagnosis (indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemagglutination or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and 237 nonchagasic seronegative individuals were considered negative control. The EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos kit showed high sensitivity, 100% (CI 95%: 96.4-100%) and high specificity, 100% (CI 95%: 98-100%). The data obtained were in full agreement with clinical and conventional serology data. In addition, no cross-reaction was observed with sera from patients with cutaneous (n=14) and visceral (n=3) leishmaniasis. However, when these sera were tested by conventional serological assays for Chagas disease, cross-reactions were detected in 14.3% and 33.3% of the patients with cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. No cross-reactions were observed when sera from nonchagasic seronegative patients bearing other infectious disease (syphilis, n=8; HTLV, n=8; HCV, n=7 and HBV, n=12) were tested. In addition, sera of patients with inconclusive results for Chagas disease by conventional serology showed results in agreement with clinical evaluation, when tested by the kit. These results are relevant and indicate that the referred kit provides a safe immunodiagnosis of Chagas disease and could be used in blood bank screening.