Sensitivity of double microcentrifugation for parasitological diagnosis of trypanosomes

Abstract

The double microcentrifugation technique, described by Kratzer et Ondiek (1989) for the parasitological diagnosis of trypanosomes, has been tested both in the laboratory and in the field. The limits of detection obtained here were not as low as those described in the original experiment, but the sensitivity of this technique for the detection of Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense and T. vivax was better than the phase contrast buffy coat method. This technique, which is easy to apply in the field, is highly recommended, especially for epidemiological surveys. A protocol and a list of equipment are included.