@article{104028,
  keywords = {Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease, Benznidazole, Serology, Response to treatment},
  author = {Saade U and Ramirez JC and de Boer J and Bazan NA and Mangone FM and Ramadier T and Scandale I and Pottel H and Altcheh J and Chatelain E and Zrein M},
  title = {A serological method’s ability to distinguish treatment regimens by assessing early antibody decline in Chagas patients: insights from E1224 data},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Background</strong></p>

<p>No reliable markers exist for parasitological cure in adult patients with chronic Chagas disease. We assessed whether a serological multiplex immunoassay for Trypanosoma cruzi, MultiCruzi, could differentiate the outcomes of treatment regimens.</p>

<p><strong>Methods</strong></p>

<p>This analysis included adults with indeterminate Chagas disease from a randomized trial of E1224. Serum samples at baseline, 6, and 12 months post-treatment with Benznidazole, E1224 regimens, or placebo were tested at three dilutions using MultiCruzi. We calculated the dilution factor at which 50% of reactivity remained (DF50) and used mixed-effects models to assess antibody decline. Log2DF50 slopes compared Benznidazole and E1224 regimens, and pooled data from the BENDITA trials helped define a cut-off for treatment response.</p>

<p><strong>Findings</strong></p>

<p>Within six months after treatment, participants exhibited a significantly greater rate of decline in antibody levels compared to the placebo group, contrasting with results from T. cruzi conventional ELISA tests. Our analysis showed a difference in response to benznidazole and to E1224 regimens after twelve months’ follow-up, confirming results for benznidazole from BENDITA. Combining data from both trials allowed discrimination of benznidazole and E1224 treatment regimens after six months’ follow-up.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>

<p>MultiCruzi enables the early assessment of treatment-associated biological responses in adults with Chagas disease, with antibody decline serving as an exploratory pharmacodynamic marker.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {The Journal of Infectious Diseases},
  pages = {1 - 19},
  month = {08/2026},
  publisher = {Oxford University Press (OUP)},
  issn = {0022-1899, 1537-6613},
  url = {https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article-pdf/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiag427/70701919/jiag427.pdf},
  doi = {10.1093/infdis/jiag427},
  language = {ENG},
}