Card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis

Serological techniques: the card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) This image shows a CATT card on a flat bed orbital rotator. This test is being carried out during human African trypanosmiasis (sleeping sickness) surveillance in Malawi. CATT test cards are usually placed on the rotator for approximately 8 minutes at 60 rotations per minute. When used out in the field, rotators may need to be connected to a portable power supply such as a car battery. Note that the lid is kept on the rotator while the sample is being shaken, to stop the samples drying out. For the same reason, a wet cotton wool plug is sometimes placed beside the card, and the rotator is kept in the shade.