Chagas TESA Immunoblot (Sendout)

Test Description: Chagas TESA immunoblot is an Kephera-developed assay utilizing Trypomastigote Excreted/Secreted Antigens. Native TESA is harvested and enriched from parasite culture medium. TESA is subjected to gel electrophoresis to separate proteins by size, followed by transfer to a nitrocellulose membrane. When a serum sample is added to the membrane strip, specific anti-T. cruzi antibodies will bind to protein antigens immobilized on the membrane at specific locations. After washing to remove unbound antibodies, an anti-human IgG enzyme conjugate is added followed by a substrate that will change color if the conjugate has bound to antigen-antibody complexes. The presence or absence of a band at a specific location on the strip is interpreted visually.

Ordering Guidance: This test is the recommend tie-breaker to resolve discordant results from the Trypanosoma cruzi Antibody Panel (Sendout) [RCRUZI].

Ordering Requirements: Laboratory Medicine Resident (LMR) approval is required.

3-5 mL in RED TOP tube or GOLD SST

Also Accepted: LAVENDER (EDTA)

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge sample and aliquot serum or plasma into a separate plastic vial. Freeze serum/plasma at -20°C to extend stability while awaiting shipment. Transport on dry ice.

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 96 hours; Frozen: Accepted for samples >96 hours (avoid freeze-thaw cycles); Ambient: 24 hours.

Reject Due To: Hemolyzed, lipemic, icteric, or cloudy samples.

Centrifuge sample and aliquot serum or plasma into a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum/plasma.

Login: SPMSND-;REFRIG SERUM

• MSNDTO: KEPHRA
• MSPTYP: <Enter appropriate ETC for specimen type received>
  • Serum: SRM
  • Plasma: PLS
• MTSTRQ: ;Chagas TESA Immunoblot (Kephera Test CHT21)

Sendouts:

• Order Kephera Test: CHT21
• Complete a Kephera Diagnostics requisition (use the account-specific requisition located in OneDrive).
• Ensure that the sample label includes the patient's date of birth.
• Send samples Monday through Wednesday via FedEx Priority Overnight.
  • Samples can be shipped on Thursday for Friday delivery, but it is not preferred.
  • Saturday delivery is not available.
• If samples are not expected to arrive at Kephera within 96 hours of collection, freeze serum/plasma at -20°C while awaiting shipment and send on dry ice.

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 96 hours; Frozen: Accepted for samples >96 hours (avoid freeze-thaw cycles); Ambient: 24 hours.

Reject Due To: Hemolyzed, lipemic, icteric, or cloudy samples.