xenodiagnosis

Pronunciation: zen′ō-dī′ag-nō′sis

Definition:

1. A method of diagnosing acute or early Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas disease) in humans. Infection-free (laboratory-reared) triatomine bugs are fed on the patient's tissue and the trypanosome is identified by microscopic examination of the bug's intestinal contents after an incubation period.
2. A similar method of biologic diagnosis based on experimental exposure of a parasite-free normal host capable of allowing the organism in question to multiply, enabling it to be more easily and reliably detected.

Search Stedman's Medical Dictionary