Use of trans-Sialidase Inhibition Assay in a Population Serologically Negative for Trypanosoma cruzi but at a High Risk of Infection

trans-Sialidase inhibition assay (TIA) was employed in a population at high risk of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. From 20 serum samples that were negative by conventional serologic and parasitologic assays, 18 (90%) were reactive in TIA, providing further evidence of the higher sensitivity of TIA and suggesting that the actual prevalence of T. cruzi infection might be underestimated.