Diagnostic value of the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for trypanosomiasis in Zambia

Data collected from 61 parasitologically proven cases, 52 matched hospital controls, and 26 matched neighbor controls demonstrated that individuals with an indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test score of 3+ or 4+ are 10 times more likely to be or become a trypanosomiasis case as compared to their matched hospital controls. Similarly, the relative risk was greater than 1.00 when cases were compared with their neighbor controls. It is suggested that the IFAT is a reliable seroepidemiologic screening tool for trypanosomiasis, and that individuals positive by the test should be carefully monitored, even though they may be parasitologically negative.