EVALUATION OF A DIRECT SEROLOGICAL CARD A GGLUTINATION-TEST IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CAMEL TRYPANOSOMOSIS DUE TO TRYPANOSOMA-EVANSI

The results of a novel direct serological card agglutination test for the diagnosis of camel trypanosomosis due to Trypanosoma evansi (CATT/ T. evansi) were compared with those obtained by direct detection of pa rasites in a study using 1,093 sera from camels raised in northern Mal i. A good correlation was revealed between the percentage of positive results obtained by CATT and the presence of trypanosomes (89%), as we ll as a good coincidence between the percentage of positive results ob tained by CATT and low haematocrit values (packed cell volume). CATT r evealed a global serological prevalence of 30.6%, whereas trypanosomes were found in only 5.85% of the corresponding animals. CATT/T. evansi is a quick and easy-to-read test, which merits further evaluation in camel-rearing countries.