[Comparative value of ELISA technique and immunofluorescence for the detection in the foci of human African trypanosomiasis].

As the parasitological diagnosis method consisting in the detection of the parasite in people suffering from sleeping sickness did not prove entirely reliable, the authors have tested a new immunoenzymatic diagnosis method called ELISA. 41 sera from clinical suspects have been tested (parasite having been found in 16 of them). Positive and negative levels have been tested by comparison with indirect immunofluorescence. The following results, given in optical density, have been obtained: negative cases less than 36 less than or equal to uncertain cases less than or equal to 40 less than positive cases. When using these date, correlation with immunofluorescence proves to be excellent with a sensibility between 95 and 97,5 p. 100 and a specificity between 97,5 and 99 p. 100.