A Procedure for the Indirect Haemagglutination Test for the Study of ExperimentalTrypanosoma EvansiInfections

[Serologic study of experimental infections by Trypanosoma evansi, in guinea pigs]

Sera of 20 guinea-pigs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi were obtained in order to compare the efficacy of gel diffusion, indirect immunofluorescence and agglutination tests, to detect antibodies to T. evansi. The fluorescent antibody test was positive in six (6) animals and the antibody titres were very low (1:4 to 1:16). The agglutination test detected trypanosomal antibodies in sera one (1) week after infection. After two (2) weeks all animals were positive with high titres (1:8.000 to 1:250.000). Agglutination was inhibited when sera were treated with 2-Mercapto-ethanol. This fact suggests that IgM is the principal class of antibodies in sera of infected guinea-pigs. Precipitating antibodies were not detected during the course of infection.

The prevalence and diagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi infection in camels in southern Ethiopia

An investigation of trypanosomiasis in camels indicated a high prevalence of infection in southern Ethiopia. Various direct and indirect laboratory methods for the diagnosis of infection with Trypanosoma evansi were compared and evaluated. At the present time inoculation of camel blood into laboratory rodents appears to be the best direct diagnostic method. The formol-gel test and the Takata test appear to be the most sensitive and accurate of the biochemical methods available. However, there still remains a need for an accurate diagnostic test for individual cases.