Red blood cells' auto-agglutination as an indicator test in human trypanosomiasis.

Spontaneous red blood cells' auto-agglutination was assessed as an indicator for the diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis. This test is easily carried out by health workers with minimum qualification. It presents a high sensitivity (0.91) and a high predictive value of a negative result (0.99). Although a positive result gives a low indication of infection, the health care workers should refer the patient to a screening centre.