Women at the Heart of Chagas Disease Care

Tulane University organizes a seminar on the occasion of World Chagas Day 2026. On Friday, April 17 Dr. Claudia Herrera will host this event titled “Women at the Heart of Chagas Disease Care: Diagnostic Challenges in Trypanosoma cruzi“, to be held both online and in person.

Diagnosing chronic T. cruzi infection relies primarily on serological tests detecting antibodies against the parasite; however, no gold standard exists. The limited performance of available assays and the discordance among them are, in part, driven by the extensive genetic and antigenic diversity of T. cruzi. These diagnostic challenges are particularly relevant for women of reproductive age, where accurate detection is essential for timely care and prevention of congenital transmission. In the context of World Chagas Disease Day (April 14), this seminar underscores the need to strengthen diagnostic strategies and address persistent gaps in detection.