Résumé
Sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening vectorborne disease of sub-Saharan Africa. Data on a prototype rapid diagnostic test for this condition are presented.
To the Editor:
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a life-threatening neglected tropical infection affecting rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa. In West and Central Africa, chronic trypanosomiasis is caused by
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
infection.
1
Control of the disease has been facilitated by the use of the card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis, which is particularly suited for large-scale screening of the populations at risk.
2
With the steadily decreasing prevalence of trypanosomiasis, individual rapid diagnostic tests that can be used in primary health centers, that are stable at ambient temperatures, and that are highly specific have become a research priority. . . .