Modalities Allowing For Early Detection and Diagnosis of Chagas Disease: A Systematic Review

Background: Early detection and diagnosis of Chagas disease remains challenging despite its significant health burden. Identifying effective diagnostic modalities is important for timely treatment and prevention of chronic complications.


Objective: This review examines diagnostic modalities that enable early detection and diagnosis of Chagas disease.


Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to modified PRISMA guidelines and included studies investigating diagnostic modalities for early detection and diagnosis of Chagas disease.


Results: Among 400 identified publications, 21 studies with 3926 participants were selected for inclusion. The review identifies multiple diagnostic modalities that support early detection of Chagas disease. Molecular techniques, particularly PCR, were the most frequently reported methods (7 of 21 studies ), while one study examined loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a rapid molecular alternative. Additional approaches included immunological assays (4 of 21 studies) and cardiac diagnostic tools used to identify infection and early disease-related complications (13 of 21 studies).


Conclusion: In summary, this review demonstrates that multiple diagnostic modalities contribute to the early detection and diagnosis of Chagas disease, with molecular techniques playing a particularly important role.