[Value of indirect fluorescent tests for on the spot prospection of human African trypanosomiasis (author's transl)].

The equipment of a laboratory making indirect antibody-fluorescent tests on dried blood blots in the heart of the trypanosomiasis focus of Bouaflé (Ivory Coast) gave good results. On a visited population of 1444 people, 13 cases were diagnosed by immunofluorescence tests; 8 were already diagnosed on the spot, trypanosome found in gland juice; 5 were diagnosed following the results of immunofluorescence tests. Reduction of time between sampling and immunological results makes easier the search of suspects. Based on these observations, the writers emphasize the great value of the use of immunofluorescence technics on the spot and the establishment of a regional mobile immunofluorescence team for supplementing the work of local prospection teams.