An end is in sight: a perspective on PCR as an endpoint for Chagas disease treatment trials.

Novel therapies for chronic indeterminate Chagas disease (CICD) are needed, but trials are limited by the absence of tests to detect infection and early treatment efficacy. This perspective highlights the shortfalls and strengths of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a study endpoint for anti-parasitic drug development. Serologic reversion, the gold standard test of cure, may take decades to occur in adults and therefore is challenging as an endpoint for drug development.