Diagnosis of Human and Animal African Trypanosomiasis

Abstract

Diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis has been the subject of intensive research for decades, which is reflected by the bulk of publications related to this topic. From this literature, it appears that the current parasite detection techniques can hardly be improved and that reliable antigen detection tests will remain wishful thinking. Much more success has been obtained in the development of antibody detection tests of which some have even reached the end-user, i.e. health personnel and veterinarians in rural regions of Africa, Latin America and Asia. Unfortunately, the production of diagnostics for African trypanosomiasis has no economical value. As a consequence, potentially excellent diagnostic tests never reach the validation phase, not to mention production, and sooner or later will belong to history unless they have some scientific value. In this context, international human and animal health organizations have largely missed the opportunities to provide validated diagnostics to those who need them. Recent literature clearly reflects the general shift from serological diagnostics to molecular diagnostics. Molecular diagnostics have unequalled potentials for sensitive and specific detection of human and animal African trypanosomiasis. However, the risk that molecular diagnostics will remain the property of the scientific world with only minor impact on real disease control should not be underestimated.