Challenges in the Diagnostic Performance of Parasitological and Molecular Tests in the Surveillance of African Trypanosomiasis in Eastern Zambia

African animal trypanosomiasis (AAT) control programs rely on active case detection through the screening of animals reared in disease endemic areas. This study compared application polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopy trypanosomes cattle blood Mambwe, a rural district eastern Zambia. Blood samples were collected from 227 tested for infection with using Ribosomal RNA Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS)-PCR. Microscopy buffy coat detected 17 cases, whilst thin thick smears 26 cases 28 respectively. In total, 40 cases. ITS-PCR-filter paper (FP) spots stored FP 47 ITS-PCR-FTA Whatman FTA Classic cards 83 Using as gold standard, had better specificity (SP) sensitivity (SE) (SP = 72.2%; SE 77.5%; kappa 0.35) than ITS-PCR-FP 88%; 60%; 0.45). The prevalence Trypanosoma brucei s.l. was higher (19/227) (0/227). Our results illustrate complexities around surveillance Africa provide evidence impact that field conditions staff training can have diagnostic results, which turn success tsetse region.