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Kabbas-Piñango E, Arinaitwe M, van Dam GJ, Moses A, Namukuta A, Nankasi AB, Mwima NK, Besigye F, Prada JM, Lamberton PHL. Reproducibility matters: intra- and inter-sample variation of the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test in two Schistosoma mansoni endemic areas in Uganda. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220275. [PMID: 37598698 PMCID: PMC10440168 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 240 million people are infected with schistosomiasis. Detecting Schistosoma mansoni eggs in stool using Kato-Katz thick smears (Kato-Katzs) is highly specific but lacks sensitivity. The urine-based point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test (POC-CCA) has higher sensitivity, but issues include specificity, discrepancy between batches and interpretation of trace results. A semi-quantitative G-score and latent class analyses making no assumptions about trace readings have helped address some of these issues. However, intra-sample and inter-sample variation remains unknown for POC-CCAs. We collected 3 days of stool and urine from 349 and 621 participants, from high- and moderate-endemicity areas, respectively. We performed duplicate Kato-Katzs and one POC-CCA per sample. In the high-endemicity community, we also performed three POC-CCA technical replicates on one urine sample per participant. Latent class analysis was performed to estimate the relative contribution of intra- (test technical reproducibility) and inter-sample (day-to-day) variation on sensitivity and specificity. Within-sample variation for Kato-Katzs was higher than between-sample, with the opposite true for POC-CCAs. A POC-CCA G3 threshold most accurately assesses individual infections. However, to reach the WHO target product profile of the required 95% specificity for prevalence and monitoring and evaluation, a threshold of G4 is needed, but at the cost of reducing sensitivity. This article is part of the theme issue 'Challenges and opportunities in the fight against neglected tropical diseases: a decade from the London Declaration on NTDs'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elías Kabbas-Piñango
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Moses Arinaitwe
- Vector Borne and NTD Control Division, Bilharzia and Worm Control Program Uganda, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Adriko Moses
- Vector Borne and NTD Control Division, Bilharzia and Worm Control Program Uganda, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Annet Namukuta
- Vector Borne and NTD Control Division, Bilharzia and Worm Control Program Uganda, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrina Barungi Nankasi
- Vector Borne and NTD Control Division, Bilharzia and Worm Control Program Uganda, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nicholas Khayinja Mwima
- Vector Borne and NTD Control Division, Bilharzia and Worm Control Program Uganda, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred Besigye
- Vector Borne and NTD Control Division, Bilharzia and Worm Control Program Uganda, Ministry of Health, PO Box 1661, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joaquin M. Prada
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Poppy H. L. Lamberton
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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Limited efficacy of repeated praziquantel treatment in Schistosoma mansoni infections as revealed by highly accurate diagnostics, PCR and UCP-LF CAA (RePST trial). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0011008. [PMID: 36548444 PMCID: PMC9822103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies assessing praziquantel (PZQ) efficacy have used relatively insensitive diagnostic methods, thereby overestimating cure rate (CR) and intensity reduction rate (IRR). To determine accurately PZQ efficacy, we employed more sensitive DNA and circulating antigen detection methods. METHODOLOGY A sub-analysis was performed based on a previously published trial conducted in children from Côte d'Ivoire with a confirmed Schistosoma mansoni infection, who were randomly assigned to a standard (single dose of PZQ) or intense treatment group (4 repeated doses of PZQ at 2-week intervals). CR and IRR were estimated based on PCR detecting DNA in a single stool sample and the up-converting particle lateral flow (UCP-LF) test detecting circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in a single urine sample, and compared with traditional Kato-Katz (KK) and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Individuals positive by all diagnostic methods (i.e., KK, POC-CCA, PCR, and UCP-LF CAA) at baseline were included in the statistical analysis (n = 125). PCR showed a CR of 45% (95% confidence interval (CI) 32-59%) in the standard and 78% (95% CI 66-87%) in the intense treatment group, which is lower compared to the KK results (64%, 95% CI 52-75%) and 88%, 95% CI 78-93%). UCP-LF CAA showed a significantly lower CR in both groups, 16% (95% CI 11-24%) and 18% (95% CI 12-26%), even lower than observed by POC-CCA (31%, 95% CI 17-35% and 36%, 95% CI 26-47%). A substantial reduction in DNA and CAA-levels was observed after the first treatment, with no further decrease after additional treatment and no significant difference in IRR between treatment groups. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE The efficacy of (repeated) PZQ treatment was overestimated when using egg-based diagnostics (i.e. KK and PCR). Quantitative worm-based diagnostics (i.e. POC-CCA and UCP-LF CAA) revealed that active Schistosoma infections are still present despite multiple treatments. These results stress the need for using accurate diagnostic tools to monitor different PZQ treatment strategies, in particular when moving toward elimination of schistosomiasis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02868385.
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Janoušková E, Clark J, Kajero O, Alonso S, Lamberton PHL, Betson M, Prada JM. Public Health Policy Pillars for the Sustainable Elimination of Zoonotic Schistosomiasis. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.826501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease acquired through contact with contaminated freshwater. The definitive hosts are terrestrial mammals, including humans, with some Schistosoma species crossing the animal-human boundary through zoonotic transmission. An estimated 12 million people live at risk of zoonotic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mekongi, largely in the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Region and in Indonesia. Mathematical models have played a vital role in our understanding of the biology, transmission, and impact of intervention strategies, however, these have mostly focused on non-zoonotic Schistosoma species. Whilst these non-zoonotic-based models capture some aspects of zoonotic schistosomiasis transmission dynamics, the commonly-used frameworks are yet to adequately capture the complex epi-ecology of multi-host zoonotic transmission. However, overcoming these knowledge gaps goes beyond transmission dynamics modelling. To improve model utility and enhance zoonotic schistosomiasis control programmes, we highlight three pillars that we believe are vital to sustainable interventions at the implementation (community) and policy-level, and discuss the pillars in the context of a One-Health approach, recognising the interconnection between humans, animals and their shared environment. These pillars are: (1) human and animal epi-ecological understanding; (2) economic considerations (such as treatment costs and animal losses); and (3) sociological understanding, including inter- and intra-human and animal interactions. These pillars must be built on a strong foundation of trust, support and commitment of stakeholders and involved institutions.
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Trienekens SCM, Faust CL, Besigye F, Pickering L, Tukahebwa EM, Seeley J, Lamberton PHL. Variation in water contact behaviour and risk of Schistosoma mansoni (re)infection among Ugandan school-aged children in an area with persistent high endemicity. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:15. [PMID: 34991702 PMCID: PMC8734346 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05121-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Annual mass drug administration with praziquantel has reduced schistosomiasis transmission in some highly endemic areas, but areas with persistent high endemicity have been identified across sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda. In these areas many children are rapidly reinfected post treatment, while some children remain uninfected or have low-intensity infections. The aim of this mixed-methods study was to better understand variation in water contact locations, behaviours and infection risk in school-aged children within an area with persistent high endemicity to inform additional control efforts. METHODS Data were collected in Bugoto, Mayuge District, Uganda. Two risk groups were identified from a longitudinal cohort, and eight children with no/low-intensity infections and eight children with reinfections were recruited. Individual structured day-long observations with a focus on water contact were conducted over two periods in 2018. In all identified water contact sites, four snail surveys were conducted quarterly over 1 year. All observed Biomphalaria snails were collected, counted and monitored in the laboratory for Schistosoma mansoni cercarial shedding for 3 weeks. RESULTS Children came into contact with water for a range of purposes, either directly at the water sources or by coming into contact with water collected previously. Although some water contact practices were similar between the risk groups, only children with reinfection were observed fetching water for commercial purposes and swimming in water sources; this latter group of children also came into contact with water at a larger variety and number of sites compared to children with no/low-intensity infection. Households with children with no/low-intensity infections collected rainwater more often. Water contact was observed at 10 sites throughout the study, and a total of 9457 Biomphalaria snails were collected from these sites over four sampling periods. Four lake sites had a significantly higher Biomphalaria choanomphala abundance, and reinfected children came into contact with water at these sites more often than children with no/low-intensity infections. While only six snails shed cercariae, four were from sites only contacted by reinfected children. CONCLUSIONS Children with reinfection have more high-risk water contact behaviours and accessed water sites with higher B. choanomphala abundance, demonstrating that specific water contact behaviours interact with environmental features to explain variation in risk within areas with persistent high endemicity. Targeted behaviour change, vector control and safe water supplies could reduce reinfection in school-aged children in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan C. M. Trienekens
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Health & Wellbeing, College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christina L. Faust
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fred Besigye
- Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lucy Pickering
- Institute of Health & Wellbeing, College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Poppy H. L. Lamberton
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Francoeur R, Atuhaire A, Arinaitwe M, Adriko M, Ajambo D, Nankasi A, Babayan SA, Lamberton PHL. ABO Blood Groups Do Not Predict Schistosoma mansoni Infection Profiles in Highly Endemic Villages of Uganda. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122448. [PMID: 34946048 PMCID: PMC8705964 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni is a parasite which causes significant public-health issues, with over 240 million people infected globally. In Uganda alone, approximately 11.6 million people are affected. Despite over a decade of mass drug administration in this country, hyper-endemic hotspots persist, and individuals who are repeatedly heavily and rapidly reinfected are observed. Human blood-type antigens are known to play a role in the risk of infection for a variety of diseases, due to cross-reactivity between host antibodies and pathogenic antigens. There have been conflicting results on the effect of blood type on schistosomiasis infection and pathology. Moreover, the effect of blood type as a potential intrinsic host factor on S. mansoni prevalence, intensity, clearance, and reinfection dynamics and on co-infection risk remains unknown. Therefore, the epidemiological link between host blood type and S. mansoni infection dynamics was assessed in three hyper-endemic communities in Uganda. Longitudinal data incorporating repeated pretreatment S. mansoni infection intensities and clearance rates were used to analyse associations between blood groups in school-aged children. Soil-transmitted helminth coinfection status and biometric parameters were incorporated in a generalised linear mixed regression model including age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), which have previously been established as significant factors influencing the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis. The analysis revealed no associations between blood type and S. mansoni prevalence, infection intensity, clearance, reinfection, or coinfection. Variations in infection profiles were significantly different between the villages, and egg burden significantly decreased with age. While blood type has proven to be a predictor of several diseases, the data collected in this study indicate that it does not play a significant role in S. mansoni infection burdens in these high-endemicity communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Francoeur
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
- Welcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK
- Correspondence: (R.F.); (P.H.L.L.)
| | - Alon Atuhaire
- Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala P.O. Box 1661, Uganda; (A.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Moses Arinaitwe
- Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala P.O. Box 1661, Uganda; (A.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Moses Adriko
- Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala P.O. Box 1661, Uganda; (A.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Diana Ajambo
- Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala P.O. Box 1661, Uganda; (A.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Andrina Nankasi
- Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala P.O. Box 1661, Uganda; (A.A.); (M.A.); (M.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Simon A. Babayan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
| | - Poppy H. L. Lamberton
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
- Welcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- Correspondence: (R.F.); (P.H.L.L.)
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Clark J, Stolk WA, Basáñez MG, Coffeng LE, Cucunubá ZM, Dixon MA, Dyson L, Hampson K, Marks M, Medley GF, Pollington TM, Prada JM, Rock KS, Salje H, Toor J, Hollingsworth TD. How modelling can help steer the course set by the World Health Organization 2021-2030 roadmap on neglected tropical diseases. Gates Open Res 2021; 5:112. [PMID: 35169682 PMCID: PMC8816801 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13327.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization recently launched its 2021-2030 roadmap, Ending the Neglect to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals , an updated call to arms to end the suffering caused by neglected tropical diseases. Modelling and quantitative analyses played a significant role in forming these latest goals. In this collection, we discuss the insights, the resulting recommendations and identified challenges of public health modelling for 13 of the target diseases: Chagas disease, dengue, gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT), lymphatic filariasis (LF), onchocerciasis, rabies, scabies, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH), Taenia solium taeniasis/ cysticercosis, trachoma, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and yaws. This piece reflects the three cross-cutting themes identified across the collection, regarding the contribution that modelling can make to timelines, programme design, drug development and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Clark
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Wilma A. Stolk
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - María-Gloria Basáñez
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Luc E. Coffeng
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Zulma M. Cucunubá
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Matthew A. Dixon
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Foundation, London, SE11 5DP, UK
| | - Louise Dyson
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Katie Hampson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Michael Marks
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Graham F. Medley
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Timothy M. Pollington
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Joaquin M. Prada
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AL, UK
| | - Kat S. Rock
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Henrik Salje
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Jaspreet Toor
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - T. Déirdre Hollingsworth
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
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