The use of quantitative buffy coat (QBC®) tubes developed for malaria diagnosis is described in the diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis. One hundred and thirty-four patients with Trypanosoma gambiense were examined using QBC® plus either haematocrit (HCT) or mini anion exchange centrifugation (MAEC) or both. QBC® was the only method that detected all 134 patients. QBC® proved to be the most sensitive diagnostic test for the detection of trypanosomes in blood. It is simple to use, gives fast results and would be a useful test at the district hospital level.
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