Previous antigen detection tests, although theoretically highly suited for detecting an ongoing infection and deciding on its treatment, were not sufficiently reliable for animal trypanosomosis detection.

COMBAT will invest again in antigen detection test development by:

• capture a T. congolense specific enzyme. The inherent activity of the enzyme will next be used in the test detection step

• use of nanobodies in a biosensor based on radio frequency identification. These tests are adaptable to a read-out of the result by smartphone. Two types of tests will be developed.  One for Nagana and another one detecting T. evansi and all T. brucei subspecies.  The latter could be used to detect Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infections in humans causing sleeping sickness