Letter to the Editor

False-positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus Test and Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Eastern Colombia

Authors: Jose E.Parra-Piñeros, MSc, Vladimir Valderrama, MD, Fidias E. Leon-Sarmiento, MD,Phd, Nelson Daza, MD, Herminia Ramirez-Díaz, BCL, Marta E. Leon-Sarmiento, MSc, Jaime Bayona-Prieto, PHT,NRH

Abstract

Immunodeficiency, either human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive or HIV-negative, is associated with several coinfections, includingTrypanosoma cruzi. 1 However, several concerns regarding the true cause of some of these illnesses have arisen because many cross-reactions have been found with either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or Western blot (WB) testing for HIV infection. 2 After previous studies performed in eastern Colombia on T cruzi infection, 3we found a new cross-reaction for HIV that had never been described before. We wanted to report it because it might make a significant difference between life and death.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Sartori AM, Neto JE, Nunes EV, Braz LM, Caiaffa-Filho HH, Oliveira Oda C Jr, et al. Trypanosoma cruziparasitemia in chronic Chagas disease: comparison between humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative patients. J Infect Dis 2002; 186: 872–875.
 
2. Papadopulos-Eleopulos E, Turner VF, Papadimitriou JM, Causer D. HIV antibodies: further questions and a plea for clarification. Curr Med Res Opin 1997; 13: 627–634.
 
3. Leon-Sarmiento FE, Mendoza E, Torres-Hillera M, Pinto N, Prada J, Silva CA, et al. Trypanosoma cruzi-associated cerebrovascular disease: a case-control study in Eastern Colombia. J Neurol Sci 2004; 217: 61–64.
 
4. Alfonso H, Leon-Sarmiento FE, Brokate A, Valderrama V, Parra JE. AIDS epidemiology-based-evidence, in Leon-Sarmiento FE (ed): ViH & Los Virus de laImaginación Humana. Bogota, Celsus, 2001, pp 13–32.
 
5. Duran MB, Guzman MA. External evaluation of serology results in blood banks in Colombia. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2003; 13: 138–143.
 
6. González CI, Thomas MC, Martín F, Alcami J, Alonso C, Lopez MC. Reverse transcriptase-like activity in Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 1997; 63: 117–126.
 
7. Sartori AM, Lopes MH, Benvenuti LA, Caramelli B, di Pietro A, Nunes EV, et al. Reactivation of Chagas’ disease in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient leading to severe heart disease with a late positive direct microscopic examination of the blood. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1998; 59: 784–786.
 
8. Leon-Sarmiento FE, Carpintero de Jimeno M. Retrovirus, mycotoxins, immunosuppression and neurodegeneration. Rev Neurol 2002; 35: 562–571.