Use of antigens of cultured Trypanosoma brucei in tests for bovine trypanosomiasis.

MicroELISA tests for the detection of trypanosomal antibodies in cattle infected with Trypanosoma brucei, T. vivax and T. congolense were carried out using antigens prepared from culture forms and bloodstream forms of T. brucei. Antigens prepared from culture forms gave similar microELISA values to those obtained with bloodstream form antigens and statistical analysis of the results obtained with both antigen preparations and sera from the infected animals showed significant high positive correlation. It would thus be possible to use culture from antigens as an alternative to bloodstream form antigens in diagnostic tests for trypanosomiasis, with the advantage that culture form antigens are more easily prepared free from extraneous protein.