Survival after heart transplantation for Chagas cardiomyopathy using a conventional protocol: A 10-year experience in a single center.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplant (HT) remains the most frequently indicated therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure that improves prognosis in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM). However, the lack of benznidazole therapy and availability of RT-PCR follow-up in many centers is a major limitation to perform this life-saving intervention, as there are concerns related with the risk of reactivation. We aimed to describe the outcomes of a cohort of patients with CCM who underwent HT using a conventional protocol with mycophenolate mofetil, without benznidazole prophylaxis or RT-PCR follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Between 2008 and 2018, 43 patients with CCM underwent HT. A descriptive analysis to characterize outcomes as rejection, infectious and neoplastic complications and a survival analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Median of follow-up was 4.3 (IR 4.28) years. Survival at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years was 95%, 85%, and 75%, respectively, infections being the main cause of death (60%). Reactivations occurred in only three patients (7.34%) and were not related to mortality. CONCLUSION: This cohort showed a favorable survival and a low reactivation rate without an impact on mortality. Our results suggest that performing HT in patients with CCM following conventional guidelines and recommendations for other etiologies is a safe approach.

Early results after synchronous carotid stent placement and coronary artery bypass graft in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease requiring cardiac surgery is still unknown. Staged carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting (CAS), each followed by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), are options frequently employed. However, for patients with severe carotid artery disease in urgent need of open cardiac revascularization, staged operations may not be the most appropriate alternative. The aim of this study was to describe our experience using a synchronous CAS-CABG method with minimal interprocedural time. We used this synchronous combination of procedures in patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease admitted for urgent CABG. METHODS: Patients with concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery disease scheduled for synchronous CAS and urgent CABG between December 2006 and January 2010 were included in the study. All procedures were performed at a single center: the Cardiovascular Foundation of Colombia, in Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia. The study cohort was characterized according to demographic and clinical characteristics, which included degree of carotid stenosis, presence/absence of preoperative neurological symptoms, and cardiac operative risk profile. All patients underwent CAS under embolic protection devices and then CABG within the next 2 hours. Patients received aspirin pre- and postprocedure but were started on clopidogrel only after CABG. The primary end point of the study was the composite incidence rate of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death 30 days after CAS-CABG. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery disease underwent synchronous CAS-CABG. Most patients (60%) were men, and mean (± standard deviation) age was 65.2 (± 8.4) years. Most patients (93%) were neurologically asymptomatic. The median (interquartile range) ejection fraction and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) for the cohort were 55% (36%-62%) and 9.7% (4.6%-14.8%), respectively. There were no deaths, major strokes, minor strokes, or myocardial infarctions during the procedure or within 30 days of CAS-CABG. One patient experienced neurological symptoms likely as a result of transient ischemic attack ipsilateral to the CAS procedure. None of the patients required cardiac or carotid reinterventions, and there were no cases of postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Synchronous CAS-CABG, when CABG is performed within the 2 hours of the CAS procedure, may be a viable alternative to the more generally accepted staged combination, particularly among patients for whom CABG cannot be postponed. We hope that this strategy will be further evaluated in larger prospective studies and adequately powered randomized clinical trials.

Somatic Support with Veno-venous ECMO in a Pregnant Woman with Brain Death: A Case Report.

Supporting homeostasis in a pregnant woman with brain death to achieve fetal viability is called somatic support. We present a case of young pregnant woman at 21 weeks' gestation who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to influenza A H2N3 infection requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support for refractory hypoxemia. The clinical course was complicated by intracranial hemorrhage and subsequent brain death. After multidisciplinary team discussion with her family, consensus was reached to continue somatic support with VV ECMO to enable fetal development to attain extrauterine viability. The challenging clinical, ethical, and legal concerns are discussed.

Evaluation of Spanish Gaucher disease patients after a 6-month imiglucerase shortage.

Recently, an acute restriction of imiglucerase has occurred as a result of viral contamination and manufacturing problems. A position statement from the European Working Group for Gaucher Disease and European Gaucher Alliance established a set of key recommendations for identifying and monitoring at-risk patients. In Spain, a profile of the shortage situation was obtained through follow-up of patients with Gaucher disease (GD) and compliance with the therapy recommendations. Here we describe a group of patients, with modified doses of imiglucerase, during the shortage. Fifty adult GD1 patients (25 males/25 females), previously on ERT, were analysed before and after the 6-month shortage. The mean age was 45.3 ± 15.3 years (range: 18-84). The mean Severity Score Index at diagnosis was 8.7 ± 3.8 (range: 3-19); 20% of patients were splenectomized; and 78% had bone disease. During the shortage, 23 patients (46%) discontinued therapy; as complications in this group only one patient suffered a bone crisis and another anaemia (Hb <10.0 g/dL). The mean reduction of haemoglobin level (-2.7%) and platelet counts (-5.4%) were non-significant. Chitotriosidase (CT) activity was increased 135% (p<0.03) and CCL18/PARC 8.2% (p<0.08) in this group. Imiglucerase was reduced by 50% in 17 patients (34%) in this group, seven patients (41.0%) suffered bone pain, three of them true bone crisis and four (23.5%) required support therapy. The mean reduction of haemoglobin (-2.8%) and platelet counts (-10.7%), CT activity was increased 48.2% (p<0.03) and no changes were observed in CCL18/PARC concentration. In both groups no significant changes in visceral size were observed. In 3 patients (6%), imiglucerase was reduced 75% and 7 patients (14%) needed to switch to another ERT (4 patients) or miglustat (3 patients) due to a restart of symptomatic disease. In Spain the 6 first months shortage of imiglucerase have produced a 20% incidence of bone pain, one case of anaemia, and a significant increase in CT activity. Fourteen percent of patients had to switch to another therapy. No significant changes in blood counts, visceral volumes and CCL18/PARC concentration were observed.

Experience with veno-venous ecmo in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome secondary to viral pneumonia. Case series / Experiencia con ecmo veno-venoso en pacientes con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria del adulto secundario a neumonía viral. Serie de casos

Abstract Introduction The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has increased exponentially in recent years and has shown to be effective in treating adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to HiNi-related pneumonia. However, evidence remains controversial. This study describes a case series of ECMO in ARDS secondary to viral pneumonia. Methods A search was conducted in the ECMO database of Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia for the 20132017 period. A case series report was written of patients diagnosed with ARDS secondary to confirmed or suspected viral pneumonia. Results Nineteen patients with ECMO support and ARDS due to viral pneumonia were included in the study. The survival rate upon discharge was 11 patients (58%) and weaning from ECMO support was successful in 13 patients (68%). Hemorrhagic complications were the most frequent: gastrointestinal bleeding, 10 patients (53%); intracranial bleeding, 2 (10%); alveolar hemorrhage, 2 (10%);' hemothorax requiring thoracostomy with chest tube drainage, 2 (10%); cannulation site bleeding, 9 patients (47%); and surgical site bleeding in 3 patients (25%) who required tracheostomy. Other complications were: pneumothorax, 1 patient (5%); sepsis, 6 patients (32%); and growth of microorganisms in bronchial lavage, 6 patients (32%). Conclusions This study supports the use of veno-venous ECMO to achieve a higher survival rate than expected in patients with severe ARDS and refractory hypoxemia secondary to viral pneumonia. Early initiation of the therapy should improve overall results.

Resumen Introducción El uso de la oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) ha tenido un incremento exponencial en los últimos años y ha demostrado ser efectivo en el manejo del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria del adulto (SDRA) secundario a neumonía por H1N1, si bien la evidencia sigue siendo controvertida. En este estudio describimos una serie de casos de ECMO por SDRA secundario a neumonía viral. Métodos Se realizó una búsqueda en la base de datos de ECMO de la Fundación Cardiovascular desde el año 20132017. Reportamos una serie de casos donde se incluyeron pacientes diagnosticados con SDRA secundario a neumonía viral sospechosa o confirmada. Resultados Se incluyeron en el estudio 19 pacientes con soporte de ECMO y SDRA por neumonía viral. La sobrevida al alta fue 11 pacientes (58%) y el destete del ECMO fue exitoso en 13 pacientes (68%). Las complicaciones hemorrágicas presentadas fueron: sangrado digestivo, 10 pacientes (53%), sangrado cerebral, 2 (10%), hemorragia alveolar, 2 (10%), hemotórax con requerimiento de toracostomía a drenaje cerrado, 2 (10%), sangrado activo por sitio de canulación, 9 pacientes (53%), y 3 pacientes traqueostomizados (25%) que sangraron por el sitio quirúrgico. Otras complicaciones presentadas fueron: neumotórax, 1 paciente (5%), septicemia, 6 (32%) y crecimiento de microorganismos en lavados bronquiales 6 (32%). Conclusion El presente estudio permite indicar que el uso de la ECMO VV viabiliza una sobrevida mayor a la esperada en pacientes con SDRA severo e hipoxemia refractaria secundario a neumonía viral. Su inicio tempranamente debe mejorar los resultados globales.

Effectiveness and safety of different azacitidine dosage regimens in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes or acute myeloid leukemia.

We investigated the effectiveness and tolerability of azacitidine in patients with World Health Organization-defined myelodysplastic syndromes, or acute myeloid leukemia with 20-30% bone marrow blasts. Patients were treated with azacitidine, with one of three dosage regimens: for 5 days (AZA 5); 7 days including a 2-day break (AZA 5-2-2); or 7 days (AZA 7); all 28-day cycles. Overall response rates were 39.4%, 67.9%, and 51.3%, respectively, and median overall survival (OS) durations were 13.2, 19.1, and 14.9 months. Neutropenia was the most common grade 3-4 adverse event. These results suggest better effectiveness-tolerability profiles for 7-day schedules.

[High risk infective endocarditis embolism during pregnancy: Medical or surgical management?]. / Endocarditis infecciosa de alto riesgo embolígeno durante el embarazo: ¿manejo conservador o quirúrgico?

A 22-year-old pregnant woman was seen at 14 weeks of pregnancy for infective endocarditis with a vegetation of 15 mm and wide mobility, which affected the native mitral valve accompanied by severe valvular insufficiency. Antibiotic treatment was given for 4 weeks despite the embolism risk. Due to persistence of vegetation size and after considering the fetal and maternal risk, the surgical procedure was favored. We decided to perform valvuloplasty and removal of lesion at 18 weeks of pregnancy. Fetal protection techniques were used and a bioprosthesis was placed before attempting a repair. The postoperative follow-up was satisfactory, achieving a successful birth by cesarean section at 30 weeks.

Reporte del primer caso de implante exitoso de asistencia ventricular izquierda HeartMate II como terapia de destino en Suramérica / Report of the first successful case of HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device placement as a destination therapy in South America

Resumen Se describe el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 55 años de edad, con insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva descompensada secundaria a cardiopatía dilatada idiopática y con contraindicación para trasplante cardiaco, en quien se implanta de manera exitosa el primer dispositivo de asistencia ventricular izquierda HeartMate II en Suramérica.

Abstract The case of a 55 year-old woman with decompensated congestive heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is described. Cardiac transplantation was contraindicated, and the first HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device was placed in South America.

Disfunción muscular respiratoria en pacientes llevados a cirugía cardiovascular / Respiratory muscle dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la presencia de las alteraciones en la fuerza muscular respiratoria en pacientes programados para la cirugía cardiovascular, el impacto de la cirugía sobre la función muscular respiratoria y su relación con las alteraciones ventilatorias en el postoperatorio mediato. Métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo. Se realizaron pruebas de funcionalismo respiratorio (espirometría) y pruebas de fuerza muscular respiratoria (inspiratoria: presión inspiratoria máxima y espiratoria: presión espiratoria máxima) en dos momentos: preoperatorio inmediato (2 ± 1 días precirugía) y postoperatorio mediato (2 ± 1 días, antes del alta). Las complicaciones respiratorias incluyeron: la ventilación mecánica prolongada, el tromboembolismo pulmonar, el neumotórax, el hemotórax, la neumonía, el derrame pleural, el edema pulmonar y las atelectasias. Resultados: Se evaluaron 30 pacientes adultos (n = 30) (62 ± 12 años). En el preoperatorio la capacidad espirométrica disminuyó en un 54% (35% alteración obstructiva, 19% no- obstructiva) y la debilidad inspiratoria y espiratoria fue confirmada en un 67 y 100%, respectivamente. Las complicaciones respiratorias estuvieron presentes en un 93% (con mayor frecuencia la atelectasia y el derrame pleural). El deterioro postoperatorio grave de la presión inspiratoria máxima incrementó 10 veces el riesgo de atelectasia (OR = 10, IC 95% 0,85-117,02; p = 0,067). Al alta, la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo fue 29% menor, la capacidad vital forzada -32%, la presión inspiratoria máxima -32% y la presión espiratoria máxima -32% con respecto al valor inicial. Conclusiones: Los pacientes llevados a la cirugía cardiovascular tienen una insospechada disfunción de los músculos respiratorios que empeora con la cirugía y la hospitalización, que se asocia a un incremento del riesgo de complicaciones respiratorias.

Abstract Motivation: To assess the presence of alterations in respiratory muscle strength in patients with a programmed cardiovascular surgery, the impact of the surgery on respiratory muscle function and their relationship with ventilatory alterations during mediate postoperative period. Methods: Prospective observational study. Respiratory function tests (spirometry) and respiratory muscle strength tests (inspiratory: maximum inspiratory pressure, and expiratory: maximum expiratory pressure) were conducted in two moments: immediate preoperative (2 ± 1 days before surgery) and mediate postoperative period (2 ± 1, before being discharged). Respiratory complications included prolonged mechanical ventilation, pulmonary thromboembolism, pneumothorax, hemothorax; pneumonia; pleural effusion; pulmonary edema and atelectases. Results: 30 adult patients were assessed (n = 30) (ages 62 ± 12). Spirometry performance decreased by 54% in the preoperative period (35% obstructive alteration, 19% non-obstructive) and inspiratory and expiratory weakness was confirmed at 67 and 100% respectively. Respiratory complications were present in 93% (more frequently atelectasis and pleural effusion). Severe postoperative deterioration of maximum inspiratory pressure increased by 10-fold the risk of atelectasis (OR = 10, IC 95% 0.85-117.02; p = 0.067). Upon discharge, ejection fraction of the left ventricle was 29% lower, forced vital capacity -32%, maximum inspiratory pressure -32% and maximum expiratory pressure -32% with regards to baseline values. Conclusion: Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery suffer an unsuspected respiratory muscle dysfunction that worsens with surgery and hospitalisation, associated to a increase of the risk of respiratory complications.

Utilidad del EuroSCORE en la predicción de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en una institución de enfermedades cardiovasculares de Colombia / Usefulness of EuroSCORE in predicting hospital mortality in an institution of cardiovascular diseases in Colombia

Introducción: en ausencia de datos nacionales sobre el tema, los autores se propusieron evaluar la utilidad del European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) en la predicción de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en una institución cardiovascular de Colombia. Métodos: desde agosto de 2008 a diciembre de 2010, se siguió una cohorte de 750 pacientes adultos sometidos a procedimientos como: revascularización miocárdica, cambios valvular aórtico o mitral u otras cirugías cardiacas. Para todos ellos se calculó el EuroSCORE logístico y se estimó su relación con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados: la mortalidad observada fue significativamente inferior a la esperada según el EuroSCORE (5,9% vs. 8,1%; RR = 0,73; IC95%: 0,51-0,94; p=0,03). El EuroSCORE mostró un área bajo la curva ROC de 86,1% (IC95%: 80,4%-90,7%) para la predicción de este evento. Se observó un patrón de incremento de la mortalidad por un factor de 1,07 (IC95%: 1,05-1,08; p<0,001) por cada cambio de un punto en el EuroSCORE. Al agrupar los pacientes sometidos a revascularización y cambios valvulares, el área bajo la curva ROC del EuroSCORE alcanzó el 90,3% (IC95%: 80,3%-100%), superior a lo observado en otros procedimientos (80,9%; IC95%: 72,7%-89%). Sin embargo, esta diferencia no alcanzó significancia estadística (p=0,15). Conclusiones: EuroSCORE fue útil para predecir mortalidad; sin embargo, los valores observados estuvieron por debajo de los esperados y su utilidad pareció variar de acuerdo con la intervención. Por tanto, se justifica realizar estudios de mayor magnitud para validar esta escala en diferentes procedimientos o proponer una escala basada en datos locales.

Introducción: en ausencia de datos nacionales sobre el tema, los autores se propusieron evaluar la utilidad del European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) en la predicción de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en una institución cardiovascular de Colombia. Métodos: desde agosto de 2008 a diciembre de 2010, se siguió una cohorte de 750 pacientes adultos sometidos a procedimientos como: revascularización miocárdica, cambios valvular aórtico o mitral u otras cirugías cardiacas. Para todos ellos se calculó el EuroSCORE logístico y se estimó su relación con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados: la mortalidad observada fue significativamente inferior a la esperada según el EuroSCORE (5,9% vs. 8,1%; RR = 0,73; IC95%: 0,51-0,94; p=0,03). El EuroSCORE mostró un área bajo la curva ROC de 86,1% (IC95%: 80,4%-90,7%) para la predicción de este evento. Se observó un patrón de incremento de la mortalidad por un factor de 1,07 (IC95%: 1,05-1,08; p<0,001) por cada cambio de un punto en el EuroSCORE. Al agrupar los pacientes sometidos a revascularización y cambios valvulares, el área bajo la curva ROC del EuroSCORE alcanzó el 90,3% (IC95%: 80,3%-100%), superior a lo observado en otros procedimientos (80,9%; IC95%: 72,7%-89%). Sin embargo, esta diferencia no alcanzó significancia estadística (p=0,15). Conclusiones: EuroSCORE fue útil para predecir mortalidad; sin embargo, los valores observados estuvieron por debajo de los esperados y su utilidad pareció variar de acuerdo con la intervención. Por tanto, se justifica realizar estudios de mayor magnitud para validar esta escala en diferentes procedimientos o proponer una escala basada en datos locales.

Endocarditis infecciosa de alto riesgo embolígeno durante el embarazo: ¿manejo conservador o quirúrgico? / High risk infective endocarditis embolism during pregnancy: Medical or surgical management?

Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 22 años de edad con embarazo de 14 semanas y endocarditis infecciosa de válvula mitral nativa con una vegetación de 15 mm con amplia movilidad, acompañada de insuficiencia valvular severa. Inicialmente, y pese al riesgo embolígeno, se dio tratamiento antibiótico durante 4 semanas. Por persistencia del tamaño de la vegetación se decide llevar a cirugía para reparación mitral y remoción de la lesión en la semana 18 de gestación, considerando que el balance entre el riesgo fetal y materno estaba a favor del procedimiento quirúrgico. Se usaron técnicas de protección fetal intraoperatoria y se colocó una prótesis biológica previo intento de reparación. La evolución postintervención fue satisfactoria, lográndose parto por cesárea a las 30 semanas.

A 22-year-old pregnant woman was seen at 14 weeks of pregnancy for infective endocarditis with a vegetation of 15 mm and wide mobility, which affected the native mitral valve accompanied by severe valvular insufficiency. Antibiotic treatment was given for 4 weeks despite the embolism risk. Due to persistence of vegetation size and after considering the fetal and maternal risk, the surgical procedure was favored. We decided to perform valvuloplasty and removal of lesion at 18 weeks of pregnancy. Fetal protection techniques were used and a bioprosthesis was placed before attempting a repair. The postoperative follow-up was satisfactory, achieving a successful birth by cesarean section at 30 weeks.

Tratamiento endovascular del aneurisma de aorta descendente en el adolescente con síndrome de Marfan: reporte de un caso / Endovascular treatment of an aneurysm of the descending aorta in an adolescent with Marfan syndrome

Se expone el caso de un adolescente de 14 años de edad, con síndrome de Marfan y antecedente de tres cirugías cardiovasculares previas: valvuloplastia aórtica y mitral a los cinco años y valvuloplastia aórtica y reconstrucción de la aorta torácica con tubo de pericardio bovino a sus diez años. En primer tiempo quirúrgico se realizó reemplazo valvular aórtico por válvula mecánica y valvuloplastia mitral y tricuspidea, y en segundo tiempo quirúrgico, durante la misma hospitalización, exclusión endovascular de aneurisma de aorta descendente asintomático sin complicaciones. Antes del egreso se diagnosticó una endofuga tipo II que se manejó con observación clínica. Luego de un año del procedimiento, los controles clínico y tomográfico son satisfactorios.

We describe the case of a 14-year-old adolescent with Marfan syndrome and a history of three previous cardiovascular surgeries: aortic and mitral valve replacement at the age of 5 and aortic valve replacement and reconstruction of the thoracic aorta with a tube of bovine pericardium at the age of ten. In the first surgical procedure the aortic valve was replaced by a mechanical valve, and mitral and tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed. In a second surgical procedure during the same hospitalization, endovascular exclusion of the asymptomatic descending aortic aneurysm was realized without complications. Before discharge, a type II endoleak was diagnosed and managed through clinical observation. After a year of the procedure, clinical and tomographic controls are satisfactory.

Clonación y secuenciación de AND de Trypanosoma cruzi derivado de PCR / Annual Reports 1991 / Cloning and sequencing of PCR-derived Trypanosoma cruzi DNA

A 188-bp DNA fragment obtained by PCR amplification using an oligonucleotide primer pair which anneal to the ends of a highly repetitive 155-bp Trypanosoma cruzi nuclear DNA was cloned in pUC18 and its sequences determined

Detencción por PCR del ADN de Trypanosoma cruzi con los pares de primers TC-4 y TC-22 / Annual Reports 1991 / Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA with TC-4 and TC-22 primer pairs by PCR

chromosomal DNA from a Paraguayan Trypanosoma cruzi isolate was extracted and sonicated. The fragments were cloned and some clones were size-selectd and sequenced. Two primer pairs TC22 and TC4 were synthesized and applied to other Paraguayan T. cruzi isolates and two Leishmania mexicana amazoniensis strains by the polymerase chain reaction. The specificity and sensitivity of these primers were correlated with TCZ primer pair synthesized by Moser et al. Remarkable differences were observed between the three primer pair which could be possibly explained by the fact that TCZ primers unlike TC22 and TC4 amplify a highly repettitive sequence of chromosomal T. cruzi DNA

Seguimiento por PCR del tratamiento de un paciente chagástico agudo / Annual Reports 1991 / Follow-up of treatment of an acute chagasic patient by PCR

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was usedto evaluate the course of treatment of an acutely infected patient with Trypanosoma cruzi. The reactions were performed using a primer pair (TCZ1 and TCZ2) which prime the amplification of a highly repetive 195-bp T. cruzi genomic DNA. Treatment with benzonidazole (5 mg/kg boby weight) was strarted when parsitemia was 140 parsites per ml of blood. The strong DNA amplification bands initially observed were no longer detected after 8 days following treatment

Detección basada en PCR de ADN de Trypanosoma Cruzi en suero / Annual Reports 1992 / PCR-Based detection of Trypanosoma Cruzi DNA in surem

DNA prepared from chagasic patientsïsera were amplified by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using oligonucleotide primers which anneal specifically to a highly repetitive sequence of Trypanosoma Cruzi nuclear DNA. Sample from both acutely and chronically infected patients yielded positive results by this method. No significant difference was observed when either whole blood or serum sample of the patients were used. These results indicate that serum instead of whole blood sample could be used for PCR-based detection of T. Cruzi in field studies without the of applying any special chemical treatment of the specimens. This would represent a considerable advantage due to the easier handling and transportation of serum as compared with whole blood samples, especially in tropical climates