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Mesquita SG, Gadd G, Coelho FS, Cieplinski A, Emery A, Lugli EB, Simões TC, Fonseca CT, Caldeira RL, Webster B. Laboratory and field validation of the recombinase polymerase amplification assay targeting the Schistosoma mansoni mitochondrial minisatellite region (SmMIT-RPA) for snail xenomonitoring for schistosomiasis. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:247-256. [PMID: 38311021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Improvements in diagnostics for schistosomiasis in both humans and snail hosts are priorities to be able to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating the disease as a public health problem by 2030. In this context, molecular isothermal amplification tests, such as Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA), are promising for use in endemic areas at the point-of-need for their accuracy, robustness, simplicity, and time-effectiveness. The developed recombinase polymerase amplification assay targeting the Schistosoma mansoni mitochondrial minisatellite region (SmMIT-RPA) was used to detect S. mansoni DNA from both laboratory and field Biomphalaria snails. Laboratory snails were experimentally infected and used at one, seven, and 28 days post-exposure (dpe) to 10 S. mansoni miracidia to provide samples in the early pre-patent infection stage. Field samples of Biomphalaria spp. were collected from the Mucuri Valley and Jequitinhonha Valley regions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which are endemic for S. mansoni. The sensitivity and specificity of the SmMIT-RPA assay were analysed and compared with existing loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), PCR-based methods, parasitological examination of the snails, and nucleotide sequencing. The SmMIT-RPA assay was able to detect S. mansoni DNA in the experimentally infected Biomphalaria glabrata as early as one dpe to 10 miracidia. It also detected S. mansoni infections (55.5% prevalence) in the field samples with the highest accuracy (100% sensitivity and specificity) compared with the other molecular tests used as the reference. Results from this study indicate that the SmMIT-RPA assay is a good alternative test to be used for snail xenomonitoring of S. mansoni due to its high sensitivity, accuracy, and the possibility of detecting early pre-patent infection. Its simplicity and portability also make it a suitable methodology in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gonçalves Mesquita
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Grace Gadd
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fernanda Sales Coelho
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Cieplinski
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan Emery
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Taynãna César Simões
- Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia e Imunologia Parasitária, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Bonnie Webster
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
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Liu J, Wang X, Sheng F, Giri BR, Li S, Xia T, Li X, Cheng G. Metagenomic sequencing for identifying pathogen-specific circulating DNAs and development of diagnostic methods for schistosomiasis. iScience 2023; 26:107495. [PMID: 37636036 PMCID: PMC10457526 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Timely diagnosis of Schistosoma infection, particularly in the early stage is crucial for identifying infected hosts and then taking effective control strategies. Here, metagenomic next-generation sequencing was used to identify pathogen-specific circulating DNAs (cDNAs) in the sera/plasma of New Zealand rabbits infected with S. japonicum, and the identified cDNAs were validated by PCR and qPCR. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based CRISPR-Cas12a and recombinase polymerase amplification-based lateral flow strip (RPA-LF) methods combined with the newly identified cDNA were developed to evaluate the potentials for diagnosing murine and human schistosomiasis. The results indicated that twenty-two cDNAs were identified. The developed LAMP-based CRISPR/Cas12a and RPA-LF methods showed a good potential for diagnosing murine or human schistosomiasis as early as 5 days of post-infection with 5 cercariae infection. In a word, S. japonicum specific cDNAs in circulation of infected hosts could be effective biomarkers for detecting Schistosoma infection particularly for early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Liu
- Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, #500 Zhen-nan Road, Shanghai 200331, People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxu Wang
- School of Biotechnology Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhen Jiang 212100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Sheng
- Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, #500 Zhen-nan Road, Shanghai 200331, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bikash R. Giri
- Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, #500 Zhen-nan Road, Shanghai 200331, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shun Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianqi Xia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuxin Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guofeng Cheng
- Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, #500 Zhen-nan Road, Shanghai 200331, People’s Republic of China
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Andrus PS, Stothard JR, Wade CM. Seasonal patterns of Schistosoma mansoni infection within Biomphalaria snails at the Ugandan shorelines of Lake Albert and Lake Victoria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011506. [PMID: 37578945 PMCID: PMC10424865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal schistosomiasis is hyperendemic in many sub-Saharan African countries. In Uganda, it is endemic at both Lake Albert (LA) and Lake Victoria (LV) and caused by S. mansoni that uses Biomphalaria snails as obligatory intermediate snail hosts. To shed light on local patterns of infection, we utilised two PCR-based methods to detect S. mansoni within Biomphalaria spp. as collected at the Ugandan shorelines of Lake Albert and Lake Victoria from 2009-2010. Overall, at our Lake Albert sites, the mean infection prevalence was 12.5% (15 of 120 snails), while at our Lake Victoria sites the prevalence was 5% (3 of 60 snails). At our Lake Albert sites, the highest infection prevalence of 13.3% (8 of 60 snails) was at Walukuba, while at our Lake Victoria sites, the highest infection prevalence of 10% (2 of 20 snails) was at Lwanika. Three species of Biomphalaria, B. pfeifferi, B. stanleyi and B. sudanica, were identified at our Lake Albert collection sites, while only a single species, B. choanomphala, was identified at our Lake Victoria collection sites. Biomphalaria stanleyi (2 of 20 snails; 15%) had the highest infection prevalence, followed by B. sudanica (5 of 60 snails; 13.3%), B. pfeifferi (4 of 40 snails; 10%) and B. choanomphala (3 of 60 snails; 5%). Of the Biomphalaria species identified, B. choanomphala had the highest haplotype (gene) diversity score, followed by B. stanleyi, B. sudanica and B. pfeifferi. Sites with a higher mean prevalence of S. mansoni infection had higher intra-species haplotype diversity scores than sites with a lower mean prevalence. The wet seasons (LA: 13.3%; LV: 8.7%) had a consistently higher mean infection prevalence of S. mansoni than the dry seasons (LA: 9.5%; LV: 5%) for all species and all sites tested at both Lake Albert (n = 480) and Lake Victoria (n = 320), though the difference was not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Andrus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher M. Wade
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Ogongo P, Nyakundi RK, Chege GK, Ochola L. The Road to Elimination: Current State of Schistosomiasis Research and Progress Towards the End Game. Front Immunol 2022; 13:846108. [PMID: 35592327 PMCID: PMC9112563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.846108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The new WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases targets the global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem. To date, control strategies have focused on effective diagnostics, mass drug administration, complementary and integrative public health interventions. Non-mammalian intermediate hosts and other vertebrates promote transmission of schistosomiasis and have been utilized as experimental model systems. Experimental animal models that recapitulate schistosomiasis immunology, disease progression, and pathology observed in humans are important in testing and validation of control interventions. We discuss the pivotal value of these models in contributing to elimination of schistosomiasis. Treatment of schistosomiasis relies heavily on mass drug administration of praziquantel whose efficacy is comprised due to re-infections and experimental systems have revealed the inability to kill juvenile schistosomes. In terms of diagnosis, nonhuman primate models have demonstrated the low sensitivity of the gold standard Kato Katz smear technique. Antibody assays are valuable tools for evaluating efficacy of candidate vaccines, and sera from graded infection experiments are useful for evaluating diagnostic sensitivity of different targets. Lastly, the presence of Schistosomes can compromise the efficacy of vaccines to other infectious diseases and its elimination will benefit control programs of the other diseases. As the focus moves towards schistosomiasis elimination, it will be critical to integrate treatment, diagnostics, novel research tools such as sequencing, improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and utilization of experimental models to assist with evaluating performance of new approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ogongo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ruth K Nyakundi
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald K Chege
- Primate Unit & Delft Animal Centre, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucy Ochola
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Environmental Health, School of Behavioural and Lifestyle Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
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McPhail BA, Froelich K, Reimink RL, Hanington PC. Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050565. [PMID: 35631086 PMCID: PMC9146278 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian schistosomes are considered a public health nuisance due to their ability to cause swimmer’s itch when accidentally encountering humans rather than their intended avian hosts. Researchers have been monitoring their presence and abundance through snail collections and cercariometry. Cercariometry methods have evolved over the last several decades to detect individual schistosome species from a single water sample, simplifying the monitoring of these parasites. This methodological evolution coincides with the development of the field of environmental DNA (eDNA) where genetic material is extracted from environmental samples, rather than individual organisms. While there are some limitations with using molecular cercariometry, notably the cost and its inability to differentiate between life cycle stages, it substantially reduces the labor required to study trematode populations. It also can be used in complement with snail collections to understand the composition of avian schistosomes in an environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A. McPhail
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
| | - Kelsey Froelich
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
- Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA;
- Saint Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Dr., Saint Joseph, MI 49085, USA
| | - Ronald L. Reimink
- Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA;
- Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th St. Hope College, Holland, MI 49423, USA
| | - Patrick C. Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Belizario VY, Delos Trinos JPCR, Sison OT, Destura RV, Medina JR, Gigataras AJE, Petronio-Santos JAG, Abarientos AB. Evaluation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in detecting Schistosoma japonicum in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, the Philippines. Acta Trop 2022; 228:106306. [PMID: 35038427 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to describe the prevalence and seroprevalence of schistosomiasis in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte and to compare the performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody test (ELISA Ab) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (LAMP) for diagnosis of schistosomiasis. METHODS The study was conducted in selected barangays (villages) in five municipalities in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte and included school-age children (SAC) who submitted stool and blood samples. Stool samples were examined using the Kato-Katz technique. Blood samples were collected through venipuncture. The stool samples and the blood samples collected were tested using LAMP assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The blood samples were examined using ELISA Ab. Diagnostic performance of LAMP assay using stool specimen was evaluated using Kato-Katz technique and PCR assay as the composite reference standard, while PCR assay was used as the reference standard to evaluate LAMP assay and ELISA Ab using blood specimens. RESULTS A total of 417 stool samples from SAC were examined. The prevalence of schistosomiasis and moderate-heavy intensity (MHI) schistosomiasis were 3.8% and 1.4%, respectively. Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) coinfection prevalence were 2.6%. A total of 425 blood samples were examined using ELISA Ab. Seroprevalence was 61.6%. The municipality of San Isidro had the highest seroprevalence at 84.8%, while Burgos had the lowest seroprevalence at 48.5%.LAMP assay had higher sensitivity and positive predictive value but lower specificity when using stool than when using blood samples. Its negative predictive value was similar regardless of the specimen used. ELISA Ab has higher sensitivity and negative predictive value than LAMP assay although it has lower specificity and positive predictive value. This may be due to ELISA Ab measuring Schistosoma exposure and is thus unable to distinguish past from active infection. CONCLUSIONS Schistosomiasis remains a public health concern in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. The locally developed LAMP assay offers a simpler diagnostic test for schistosomiasis compared with PCR, while minimizing the risk of misdiagnosis compared with Kato-Katz technique. It could serve as a point of care diagnostics for schistosomiasis. ELISA Ab is more useful in surveillance particularly in low-endemicity areas where determination of exposure is more important than differentiating past from active infection. ELISA Ab may be helpful in the clinical setting when coupled with the expertise of a physician who is familiar with schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Y Belizario
- College of Public Health, University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, Manila, Philippines; Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group, National Institutes of Health (NIH), UP Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - John Paul Caesar R Delos Trinos
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group, National Institutes of Health (NIH), UP Manila, Manila, Philippines; Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales-Sydney, Australia
| | - Olivia T Sison
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, NIH, UP Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Raul V Destura
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, NIH, UP Manila, Manila, Philippines; Research and Biotechnology Division, Manila HealthTek, Marikina, Philippines
| | - John Robert Medina
- College of Public Health, University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - April Joy E Gigataras
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Study Group, National Institutes of Health (NIH), UP Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Adrian B Abarientos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, NIH, UP Manila, Manila, Philippines
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Mesquita SG, Neves FGDS, Scholte RGC, Carvalho ODS, Fonseca CT, Caldeira RL. A loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for Schistosoma mansoni detection in Biomphalaria spp. from schistosomiasis-endemic areas in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:388. [PMID: 34362440 PMCID: PMC8343921 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04888-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis a neglected tropical disease endemic in Brazil. It is caused by the trematode Schistosoma mansoni, which is transmitted by snails of the genus Biomphalaria. Among measures used to control and eliminate schistosomiasis, accurate mapping and monitoring of snail breeding sites are recommended. Despite the limitations of parasitological methods, they are still used to identify infected snails. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic method for the identification of infected snails. In the work reported here, we aimed to validate the use of LAMP for the detection of S. mansoni in snails of the genus Biomphalaria. METHODS Snails were collected in five municipalities of the Mucuri Valley and Jequitinhonha Valley regions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Snails were pooled according to collection site and then squeezed for the detection of S. mansoni and other trematode larvae. Pooled snails were subjected to pepsin digestion and DNA extraction. Molecular assays were performed for species-specific identification and characterization of the samples. A previously described LAMP assay was adapted, evaluated, and validated using laboratory and field samples. RESULTS Using the parasitological method described here, S. mansoni cercariae were detected in snails from two collection sites, and cercariae of the family Spirorchiidae were found in snails from one site. The snails were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Biomphalaria glabrata, the main snail host of S. mansoni in Brazil, was detected in 72.2% of the collection sites. Biomphalaria kuhniana, which is resistant to S. mansoni infection, was found in the remaining sites. Multiplex, low stringency (LS), and conventional PCR allowed the detection of positive snails in four additional sites. Trematodes belonging to the families Strigeidae and Echinostomatidae were detected by multiplex PCR in two sites. The LAMP assay was effective in detecting the presence of S. mansoni infection in laboratory (7 days post-infection) and field samples with no cross-reactivity for other trematodes. When compared to LS and conventional PCR, LAMP showed 100% specificity, 85.7% sensitivity, and a κ index of 0.88. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that LAMP is a good alternative method for the detection and monitoring of transmission foci of S. mansoni, as it was three times as effective as the parasitological examination used here for the detection of infection, and is more directly applicable in the field than other molecular techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gonçalves Mesquita
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Floria Gabriela dos Santos Neves
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Guilherme Carvalho Scholte
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Omar dos Santos Carvalho
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia e Imunologia Parasitária, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
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Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Current Techniques for Detecting Schistosome Infections in Intermediate Host Snails: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105403. [PMID: 34069316 PMCID: PMC8158760 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), causes morbidity and mortality in over 250 million people globally. And 700 million people are at risk of contracting it. It is caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma. Freshwater snails of the family Planorbidae are of public health significance as they are intermediate hosts of these highly infective flukes. Accurate diagnostic techniques to detect schistosome infections in intermediate host snails (IHS) and environmental surveillance are needed to institute measures for the interruption of transmission and eventual elimination. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to assess advantages and limitations of different diagnostic techniques for detecting schistosome infections in snails. Literature from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases from 2008 to 2020 were searched using combinations of predefined search terms with Boolean operators. The studies revealed that conventional diagnostics are widely used, although they are labor-intensive, have low specificity and sensitivity levels, and cannot detect prepatent infections. Whereas more advanced techniques such as immunological, nucleic-acid amplification, and eDNA diagnostics have high sensitivity and specificity levels, they are costly, hence, not suitable for field applications and large-scale surveys. Our review highlights the importance of designing and developing innovative diagnostics that are high in specificity and sensitivity as well as affordable and technically feasible for use in field laboratories and for large-scale surveys.
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Siqueira LMV, Senra C, de Oliveira ÁA, Carneiro NFDF, Gomes LI, Rabello A, Coelho PMZ, Oliveira E. A Real-Time PCR Assay for the Diagnosis of Intestinal Schistosomiasis and Cure Assessment After the Treatment of Individuals With Low Parasite Burden. Front Immunol 2021; 11:620417. [PMID: 33815351 PMCID: PMC8010660 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.620417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The laboratorial diagnosis of the intestinal schistosomiasis is always performed using Kato-Katz technique. However, this technique presents low sensitivity for diagnosis of individuals with low parasite burden, which constitutes the majority in low endemicity Brazilian locations for the disease. The objective of this study was developed and to validate a real-time PCR assay (qPCR) targeting 121 bp sequence to detect Schistosoma spp. DNA for the diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis and a sequence of the human β-actin gene as internal control. Firstly, the qPCR was standardized and next it was evaluated for diagnosis and cure assessment of intestinal schistosomiasis in the resident individuals in Tabuas and Estreito de Miralta, two locations in Brazil endemic for intestinal schistosomiasis. The qPCR assay results were compared with those of the Kato-Katz (KK) test, examining 2 or 24 slides, Saline Gradient (SG) and “reference test” (24 KK slides + SG). The cure assessment was measured by these diagnostic techniques at 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment. In Tabuas, the positivity rates obtained by the qPCR was 30.4% (45/148) and by “reference test” was of 31.0% (46/148), with no statistical difference (p = 0.91). The presumed cure rates at 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment were 100, 94.4, and 78.4% by the analysis of 24 KK slides, 100, 94.4, and 78.4% by the SG, and 100, 83.3, and 62.1% by the qPCR assay. In Estreito de Miralta, the positivity obtained by qPCR was 18.3% (26/142) and with “reference test” was 24.6% (35/142), with no statistical difference (p = 0.20). The presumed cure rates were 93.3, 96.9, and 96.5% by the KK, 93.3, 96.9, and 100% by the SG, and 93.3, 93.9, and 96.5% by the qPCR at 30, 90, and 180 days post-treatment, respectively. This study showed that the diagnostic techniques presented different performance in the populations from the two districts (Tabuas and Estreito de Miralta) and reinforces the need of combining techniques to improve diagnosis accuracy, increasing the detection of individuals with low parasite burden. This combination of techniques consists an important strategy for controlling the disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Maria Vidal Siqueira
- Diagnosis and Therapy of Infectious and Oncologic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carolina Senra
- Clinical Research and Public Politics in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Áureo Almeida de Oliveira
- Diagnosis and Therapy of Infectious and Oncologic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Luciana Inácia Gomes
- Clinical Research and Public Politics in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Rabello
- Clinical Research and Public Politics in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Paulo Marcos Zech Coelho
- Diagnosis and Therapy of Infectious and Oncologic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Edward Oliveira
- Clinical Research and Public Politics in Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Instituto René Rachou, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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10
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Joof E, Andrus PS, Sowunmi K, Onyango VM, Wade CM. Comparing PCR techniques against conventional cercarial shedding methods for detecting Schistosoma mansoni infection in Biomphalaria snails. Acta Trop 2020; 212:105716. [PMID: 32966841 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection in both its intermediate (snail) and definitive (human) hosts is useful in providing information on the transmission of schistosomiasis. Three pairs of previously designed PCR primers (SM1-7, SMF/R & ND5) used for the detection of S. mansoni infection were tested. We assess the utility of each of these primer sets for detecting S. mansoni infection both in artificially exposed laboratory bred Biomphalaria glabrata, and field infected African Biomphalaria sudanica and Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Two of the three primer sets (SMF/R & ND5) detected S. mansoni infection in snails, but amplification of S. mansoni DNA with SM1-7 was unreliable. For the artificially exposed laboratory bred B. glabrata snails, SMF/R and ND5 both detected infection in more snails than the cercarial shedding method. Infection detection rates were 62.4% for ND5, 57.1% for SMF/R and 50.4% using traditional cercarial shedding methods. Both SMF/R and ND5 detected S. mansoni infection in 91% of snails observed shedding cercariae, increasing to 98.5% when low stringency PCR methods were used. When comparing each of the detection methods using a Bayesian latent class analysis model, ND5 had the highest detection sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV), while SMF/R had the highest detection specificity and positive predictive value (PPV). In field collected Biomphalaria snails, ND5 detected S. mansoni infection in 21 of 24 snails categorised as shedding S. mansoni cercariae and 4 of 24 snails categorised as shedding non-S. mansoni cercariae, while SMF/R detected infection in 18 of 24 snails categorised as shedding S. mansoni cercariae and in 3 of 24 snails categorised as shedding non-S. mansoni cercariae. All SMF/R and ND5 PCR products were shown to be S. mansoni indicating that these field snails must have been infected with both S. mansoni and cercariae from other Schistosoma species. This indicates that the two primer sets are specific for S. mansoni and will not amplify non-S. mansoni species when used at their recommended annealing temperatures. Both the SMF/R and ND5 primers effectively detected S. mansoni infection in three Biomphalaria species and have improved detection sensitivity over cercarial shedding.
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11
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Abstract
Large-scale control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa may leave long-term lingering transmission. Large-scale screening of snail infection prevalence by loop-mediated isothermal amplification will enable accurate determination of man-to-snail transmission, as well as the effects of biota in snail habitat on host capacity and thus on snail-to-man transmission. Next-generation sequencing will enable identification of gut content of snails and thus their feeding preferences in hot spots and in non–hot spots, as well as for identification of attractive vegetation types for attracting snails to molluscicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hamburger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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12
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Okeke OC, Akinwale OP, Ubachukwu PO, Gyang PV, Henry EU, Nwafor TE, Daniel BM, Ebi SE, Anorue CO, Chukwuka CO, Dido MS. Report of high prevalence of schistosome infection in Biomphalaria snails from a geographic area with no previous prevalence of human schistosomiasis in Nigeria. Acta Trop 2020; 210:105326. [PMID: 31891709 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous study using the traditional method of screening snails for infection reported shedding of Schistosoma cercaria by Biomphalaria snails from a river in Nkalagu, southeastern Nigeria. This is contrary to published reports that Biomphalaria from this part of the country does not shed schistosome cercaria. Here, we employed the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to screen and characterize the Biomphalaria snails from Nkalagu. Snails were collected from the River Uzuru in dry season, identified and subjected to molecular assays. Genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from whole tissues of the 212 Biomphalaria snails and amplified using conventional PCR to check for the schistosome infection level. Assay for the detection of S. mansoni infection was further done using a nested PCR (nPCR). We amplified the entire internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions from gDNA of the 212 snails. The representative samples were sequenced and subjected to BLAST searches to confirm snail species. Of the 212 snails screened, 164 (77.4%) of the snails were infected with schistosomes, but only 16 (9.76%) of the snails were positive for S. mansoni infection. Amplification of the snails' ITS2 region yielded a product of 460 bp, and BLAST searches confirmed the snails to be B. pfeifferi, and BLAST searches confirmed the snails to be B. pfeifferi. This paper reports for the first time the presence of S. mansoni positive B. pfeifferi in Nkalagu, which suggest there may be cases of intestinal schistosomiasis in this part of Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogochukwu C Okeke
- Department of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
| | - Olaoluwa P Akinwale
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Patience O Ubachukwu
- Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Pam V Gyang
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel U Henry
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Timothy E Nwafor
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bilkisu M Daniel
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Sowechi E Ebi
- Department of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Chioma O Anorue
- Department of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Christian O Chukwuka
- Department of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Mann S Dido
- Department of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
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13
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Pennance T, Archer J, Lugli EB, Rostron P, Llanwarne F, Ali SM, Amour AK, Suleiman KR, Li S, Rollinson D, Cable J, Knopp S, Allan F, Ame SM, Webster BL. Development of a Molecular Snail Xenomonitoring Assay to Detect Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis Infections in their Bulinus Snail Hosts. Molecules 2020; 25:E4011. [PMID: 32887445 PMCID: PMC7116084 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25174011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease of medical and veterinary importance, transmitted through specific freshwater snail intermediate hosts, is targeted for elimination in several endemic regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Multi-disciplinary methods are required for both human and environmental diagnostics to certify schistosomiasis elimination when eventually reached. Molecular xenomonitoring protocols, a DNA-based detection method for screening disease vectors, have been developed and trialed for parasites transmitted by hematophagous insects, such as filarial worms and trypanosomes, yet few have been extensively trialed or proven reliable for the intermediate host snails transmitting schistosomes. Here, previously published universal and Schistosoma-specific internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA primers were adapted into a triplex PCR primer assay that allowed for simple, robust, and rapid detection of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis in Bulinus snails. We showed this two-step protocol could sensitively detect DNA of a single larval schistosome from experimentally infected snails and demonstrate its functionality for detecting S. haematobium infections in wild-caught snails from Zanzibar. Such surveillance tools are a necessity for succeeding in and certifying the 2030 control and elimination goals set by the World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pennance
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK;
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - John Archer
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Elena Birgitta Lugli
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
| | - Penny Rostron
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
| | - Felix Llanwarne
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Said Mohammed Ali
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Amour Khamis Amour
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Khamis Rashid Suleiman
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Sarah Li
- Schistosomiasis Resource Centre, Biomedical Research Institute, 9410 Key West, Rockville, MD 20850, USA;
| | - David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Jo Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK;
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland;
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Allan
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Shaali Makame Ame
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Bonnie Lee Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
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14
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Allan F, Ame SM, Tian-Bi YNT, Hofkin BV, Webster BL, Diakité NR, N’Goran EK, Kabole F, Khamis IS, Gouvras AN, Emery AM, Pennance T, Rabone M, Kinung’hi S, Hamidou AA, Mkoji GM, McLaughlin JP, Kuris AM, Loker ES, Knopp S, Rollinson D. Snail-Related Contributions from the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation Program Including Xenomonitoring, Focal Mollusciciding, Biological Control, and Modeling. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:66-79. [PMID: 32400353 PMCID: PMC7351297 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) was created in 2008 to answer questions of importance to program managers working to reduce the burden of schistosomiasis in Africa. In the past, intermediate host snail monitoring and control was an important part of integrated schistosomiasis control. However, in Africa, efforts to control snails have declined dramatically over the last 30 years. A resurgence of interest in the control of snails has been prompted by the realization, backed by a World Health Assembly resolution (WHA65.21), that mass drug administration alone may be insufficient to achieve schistosomiasis elimination. SCORE has supported work on snail identification and mapping and investigated how xenomonitoring techniques can aid in the identification of infected snails and thereby identify potential transmission areas. Focal mollusciciding with niclosamide was undertaken in Zanzibar and Côte d'Ivoire as a part of elimination studies. Two studies involving biological control of snails were conducted: one explored the association of freshwater riverine prawns and snail hosts in Côte d'Ivoire and the other assessed the current distribution of Procambarus clarkii, the invasive Louisiana red swamp crayfish, in Kenya and its association with snail hosts and schistosomiasis transmission. SCORE also supported modeling studies on the importance of snail control in achieving elimination and a meta-analysis of the impact of molluscicide-based snail control programs on human schistosomiasis prevalence and incidence. SCORE's snail control studies contributed to increased investment in building capacity, and specimens collected during SCORE research deposited in the Schistosomiasis Collections at the Natural History Museum (SCAN) will provide a valuable resource for the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Allan
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shaali M. Ame
- Public Health Laboratory - Ivo de Carneri, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Yves-Nathan T. Tian-Bi
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Bruce V. Hofkin
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nana R. Diakité
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Eliezer K. N’Goran
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Fatma Kabole
- Neglected Tropical Disease Unit, Unguja, Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Iddi S. Khamis
- Neglected Tropical Disease Unit, Unguja, Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Anouk N. Gouvras
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Pennance
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Muriel Rabone
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Safari Kinung’hi
- National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Mwanza Centre, Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Amina Amadou Hamidou
- Réseau International Schistosomoses, Environnement, Aménagement et Lutte (RISEAL-Niger), Niamey, Niger
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John P. McLaughlin
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Armand M. Kuris
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect Schistosoma mansoni - infected individuals from an endemic area with low parasite loads. Parasitology 2020; 147:1140-1148. [PMID: 32484122 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202000089x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Due to the efforts to control schistosomiasis transmission in tropical countries, a large proportion of individuals from endemic areas present low parasite loads, which hinders diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis by the Kato-Katz (KK) method. Therefore, the development of more sensitive diagnostic methods is essential for efficient control measures. The aim was to evaluate the accuracy of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect Schistosoma mansoni DNA in fecal samples of individuals with low parasite loads. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in a rural community (n = 257) in Brazil. POC-CCA® was performed in urine and feces were used for RT-PCR. In addition, fecal exams were completed by 18 KK slides, saline gradient and Helmintex techniques. The combined results of the three parasitological tests detected schistosome eggs in 118 participants (45.9%) and composed the consolidated reference standard (CRS). By RT-PCR, 117 out of 215 tested samples were positive, showing 91.4% sensitivity, 80.2% specificity and good concordance with the CRS (kappa = 0.71). RT-PCR identified 86.9% of the individuals eliminating less than 12 eggs/g of feces, demonstrating much better performance than POC-CCA® (50.8%). Our results showed that RT-PCR is a valuable alternative for the diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis in individuals with very low parasite loads.
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16
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Ferrer E, Villegas B, Mughini-Gras L, Hernández D, Jiménez V, Catalano E, Incani RN. Diagnostic performance of parasitological, immunological and molecular tests for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection in a community of low transmission in Venezuela. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105360. [PMID: 32001248 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In Venezuela, areas endemic for schistosomiasis are of low transmission, with low parasite loads. Immunological tests often lack specificity and cannot differentiate past from present infections. Molecular tests are an alternative, although validation studies in endemic areas are needed. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of parasitological, immunological and molecular tests for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection in low-transmission settings. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural community located in a schistosomiasis-endemic area of Venezuela to determine the prevalence and diagnostic performance of the Kato-Katz (KK) technique, Circumoval Precipitin Test (COPT), ELISA based on soluble egg antigen (ELISA-SEA) with and without treatment with sodium metaperiodate (ELISA-SEA-SMP), and PCR for amplification of the 121 bp highly repeated sequence of Schistosoma mansoni in faeces, urine and serum samples. The highest prevalence rates were obtained with ELISA-SEA (38.7%), COPT (33.3%), ELISA-SEA-SMP (31.5%), PCR on faeces (21.6%), and KK (17.1%), whereas PCR-based prevalence in urine was 6.2% and no positivity was detected in serum samples. Results showed that ELISA-SEA is the best method for the diagnosis of both current and former infections and that PCR on faeces is the best method for detecting recent transmission. The use of different tests that complement one another also allowed for a better diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection, revealing a relatively high prevalence (33.8%) of schistosomiasis in a community of low transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ferrer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED) and Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Berenice Villegas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED) and Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Lapo Mughini-Gras
- Center for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Diego Hernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED) and Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Verónica Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED) and Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Emily Catalano
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED) and Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Sede Aragua, Maracay, Venezuela
| | - Renzo Nino Incani
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Bilharzia, Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, Carabobo, Sede Valencia, Venezuela.
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17
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Casotti MO, Gryschek RCB, Paula FMD, Gomes-Gouvêa M, Pinho JRR, Tuan R, Dias-Neto E, Luna EJDA, Espírito-Santo MCCD. Molecular detection of prepatent Schistosoma mansoni infection in Biomphalaria glabrata snail vectors. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2020; 62:e17. [PMID: 32130357 PMCID: PMC7051179 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946202062017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 240 million people worldwide are infected by Schistosoma. In Brazil, one of the main intermediate hosts of this parasite is Biomphalaria glabrata snails. The early detection of larval stages in intermediate hosts is an important challenge to public health, but it also represents an opportunity as a new alternative to indicate earlier natural infections before cercariae differentiation and emergence. In this context, we demonstrated that PCR amplification of a 28S gene fragment from the parasite does demonstrate S. mansoni infection in snails 14 days post infection. This conventional polymerase chain reaction amplified clear bands and was able to detect parasitic infection in the intermediate host B. glabrata under experimental conditions. However, we reinforce that this approach requires deeper investigations and further comparisons to confirm its specificity and sensitivity in earlier time points after miracidia infection. This approach has relevant potential as an effective molecular-based strategy for the monitoring of schistosomiasis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Oliveira Casotti
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (LIM-06), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Cesar Borges Gryschek
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (LIM-06), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical da São Paulo, Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Martins de Paula
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (LIM-06), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical da São Paulo, Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele Gomes-Gouvêa
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical da São Paulo, Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Laboratório de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Tropical, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Renato Rebello Pinho
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical da São Paulo, Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Laboratório de Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia Tropical, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roseli Tuan
- Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Dias-Neto
- Hospital A. C. Camargo, Centro Internacional de Pesquisas e Ensino, Laboratório de Genômica Médica, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Laboratório de Neurociências (LIM-27), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Cristina Carvalho do Espírito-Santo
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Laboratório de Imunopatologia da Esquistossomose (LIM-06), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Medicina Tropical da São Paulo, Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade Fundação Oswaldo Aranha, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Nigo MM, Salieb-Beugelaar G, Battegay M, Odermatt P, Hunziker P. Schistosomiasis: from established diagnostic assays to emerging micro/nanotechnology-based rapid field testing for clinical management and epidemiology. PRECISION NANOMEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.33218/prnano3(1).191205.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected invasive worm disease with a huge disease burden in developing countries, particularly in children, and is seen increasingly in non-endemic regions through transfer by travellers, expatriates, and refugees. Undetected and untreated infections may be responsible for the persistence of transmission. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is the key to treatment and control. So far, parasitological detection methods remain the cornerstone of Schistosoma infection diagnosis in endemic regions, but conventional tests have limited sensitivity, in particular in low-grade infection. Recent advances contribute to improved detection in clinical and field settings. The recent progress in micro- and nanotechnologies opens a road by enabling the design of new miniaturized point-of-care devices and analytical platforms, which can be used for the rapid detection of these infections. This review starts with an overview of currently available laboratory tests and their performance and then discusses emerging rapid and micro/nanotechnologies-based tools. The epidemiological and clinical setting of testing is then discussed as an important determinant for the selection of the best analytical strategy in patients suspected to suffer from Schistosoma infection. Finally, it discusses the potential role of advanced technologies in the setting near to disease eradication is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
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Environmental DNA for improved detection and environmental surveillance of schistosomiasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8931-8940. [PMID: 30975758 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1815046116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a water-based, infectious disease with high morbidity and significant economic burdens affecting >250 million people globally. Disease control has, with notable success, for decades focused on drug treatment of infected human populations, but a recent paradigm shift now entails moving from control to elimination. To achieve this ambitious goal, more sensitive diagnostic tools are needed to monitor progress toward transmission interruption in the environment, especially in low-intensity infection areas. We report on the development of an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based tool to efficiently detect DNA traces of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni directly in the aquatic environment, where the nonhuman part of the parasite life cycle occurs. This is a report of the successful detection of S. mansoni in freshwater samples by using aquatic eDNA. True eDNA was detected in as few as 10 cercariae per liter of water in laboratory experiments. The field applicability of the method was tested at known transmission sites in Kenya, where comparison of schistosome detection by conventional snail surveys (snail collection and cercariae shedding) with eDNA (water samples) showed 71% agreement between the methods. The eDNA method furthermore detected schistosome presence at two additional sites where snail shedding failed, demonstrating a higher sensitivity of eDNA sampling. We conclude that eDNA provides a promising tool to substantially improve the environmental surveillance of S. mansoni Given the proper method and guideline development, eDNA could become an essential future component of the schistosomiasis control tool box needed to achieve the goal of elimination.
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Field Evaluation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Platform for the Detection of Schistosoma japonicum Infection in Oncomelania hupensis Snails. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3040124. [PMID: 30558259 PMCID: PMC6306868 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma infection in snails can be monitored by microscopy or indirectly by sentinel mice. As both these approaches can miss infections, more sensitive tests are needed, particularly in low-level transmission settings. In this study, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique, designed to detect a specific 28S ribosomal Schistosoma japonicum (Sj28S) gene with high sensitivity, was compared to microscopy using snail samples from 51 areas endemic for schistosomiasis in five Chinese provinces. In addition, the results were compared with those from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by adding DNA sequencing as a reference. The testing of pooled snail samples with the LAMP assay showed that a dilution factor of 1/50, i.e., one infected snail plus 49 non-infected ones, would still result in a positive reaction after the recommended number of amplification cycles. Testing a total of 232 pooled samples, emanating from 4006 snail specimens, showed a rate of infection of 6.5%, while traditional microscopy found only 0.4% positive samples in the same materials. Parallel PCR analysis confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of the LAMP assay, with DNA sequencing even giving LAMP a slight lead. Microscopy and the LAMP test were carried out at local schistosomiasis-control stations, demonstrating that the potential of the latter assay to serve as a point-of-care (POC) test with results available within 60–90 min, while the more complicated PCR test had to be carried out at the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD) in Shanghai, China. In conclusion, LAMP was found to be clearly superior to microscopy and as good as, or better than, PCR. As it can be used under field conditions and requires less time than other techniques, LAMP testing would improve and accelerate schistosomiasis control.
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Abe EM, Guan W, Guo YH, Kassegne K, Qin ZQ, Xu J, Chen JH, Ekpo UF, Li SZ, Zhou XN. Differentiating snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma spp. using molecular approaches: fundamental to successful integrated control mechanism in Africa. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:29. [PMID: 29615124 PMCID: PMC5883423 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0401-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Snail intermediate hosts play active roles in the transmission of snail-borne trematode infections in Africa. A good knowledge of snail-borne diseases epidemiology particularly snail intermediate host populations would provide the necessary impetus to complementing existing control strategy. Main body This review highlights the importance of molecular approaches in differentiating snail hosts population structure and the need to provide adequate information on snail host populations by updating snail hosts genome database for Africa, in order to equip different stakeholders with adequate information on the ecology of snail intermediate hosts and their roles in the transmission of different diseases. Also, we identify the gaps and areas where there is need for urgent intervention to facilitate effective integrated control of schistosomiasis and other snail-borne trematode infections. Conclusions Prioritizing snail studies, especially snail differentiation using molecular tools will boost disease surveillance and also enhance efficient schistosomaisis control programme in Africa. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0401-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eniola Michael Abe
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China.
| | - Wei Guan
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Yun-Hai Guo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Kokouvi Kassegne
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Qin
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Jing Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Uwem Friday Ekpo
- Department of Pure & Applied Zoology, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | - Shi-Zhu Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH ; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200020, China
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Gandasegui J, Fernández-Soto P, Muro A, Simões Barbosa C, Lopes de Melo F, Loyo R, de Souza Gomes EC. A field survey using LAMP assay for detection of Schistosoma mansoni in a low-transmission area of schistosomiasis in Umbuzeiro, Brazil: Assessment in human and snail samples. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018. [PMID: 29534072 PMCID: PMC5849311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Brazil, schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of public health relevance, mainly in poor areas where Schistosoma mansoni is the only human species encountered and Biomphalaria straminea is one of the intermediate host snails. A nested-PCR based on a specific mitochondrial S. mansoni minisatellite DNA region has been successfully developed and applied as a reference method in Brazil for S. mansoni detection, mainly in host snails for epidemiological studies. The amplification efficiency of LAMP is known to be higher than PCR. The present work aimed to assess the utility of our previously described SmMIT-LAMP assay for S. mansoni detection in human stool and snail samples in a low-transmission area of schistosomiasis in the municipality of Umbuzeiro, Paraíba State, Northeast Region of Brazil. Methodology/Principal findings A total of 427 human stool samples were collected during June-July 2016 in the municipality of Umbuzeiro and an overall prevalence of 3.04% (13/427) resulted positive by duplicate Kato-Katz thick smear. A total of 1,175 snails identified as Biomphalaria straminea were collected from 14 breeding sites along the Paraíba riverbank and distributed in 46 pools. DNA from human stool samples and pooled snails was extracted using the phenol/chloroform method. When performing the SmMIT-LAMP assay a total of 49/162 (30.24%) stool samples resulted positive, including 12/13 (92.31%) that were Kato-Katz positive and 37/149 (24.83%) previously Kato-Katz negative. By nested-PCR, only 1/46 pooled DNA snail samples was positive. By SmMIT-LAMP assay, the same sample also resulted positive and an additional one was positive from a different breeding site. Data of human and snail surveys were used to build risk maps of schistosomiasis incidence using kernel density analysis. Conclusions/Significance This is the first study in which a LAMP assay was evaluated in both human stool and snail samples from a low-transmission schistosomiasis-endemic area. Our SmMIT-LAMP proved to be much more efficient in detection of S. mansoni in comparison to the 'gold standard' Kato-Katz method in human stool samples and the reference molecular nested-PCR in snails. The SmMIT-LAMP has demonstrated to be a useful molecular tool to identify potential foci of transmission in order to build risk maps of schistosomiasis. In Brazil, around 1.8 million people, mostly in the northeastern region of the country, are thought to be infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Snails of the genus Biomphalaria serve as intermediate hosts of the S. mansoni. A special program for schistosomiasis control was implemented more than 40 years ago in Brazil, decreasing prevalence, morbidity, and mortality over the past years. PCR-based diagnostic methods have been successfully applied in a few endemic areas of schistosomiasis in Brazil, although they are not still widely used due to the highly technical requirements making them unviable for routine application in field conditions. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology could be a powerful tool to apply for point-of-care testing in resource-poor settings. In previous work, a LAMP-based method to detect S. mansoni DNA, called SmMIT-LAMP, was developed by our research group to detect S. mansoni DNA testing stool samples from experimentally infected mice. Here, with the aim to apply SmMIT-LAMP as a cost-effective molecular tool for the detection of S. mansoni in field applicable conditions, we assess SmMIT-LAMP in human and snail samples collected in an endemic area of Brazil. The results obtained by Kato-Katz analysis of human stool samples and nested-PCR performed in snails were compared with the SmMIT-LAMP assay. It is the first time that a LAMP-based method has been used to identify potential transmission foci and to evaluate the epidemiological risk of acquiring schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Gandasegui
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca-Research Centre for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro Fernández-Soto
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca-Research Centre for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- * E-mail: (PFS); (AM)
| | - Antonio Muro
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Group (e-INTRO), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca-Research Centre for Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (IBSAL-CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- * E-mail: (PFS); (AM)
| | - Constança Simões Barbosa
- Schistosomiasis Laboratory and Reference Service, Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fiocruz - Ministry of Health (MoH), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Fabio Lopes de Melo
- Schistosomiasis Laboratory and Reference Service, Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fiocruz - Ministry of Health (MoH), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Loyo
- Schistosomiasis Laboratory and Reference Service, Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fiocruz - Ministry of Health (MoH), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Elainne Christine de Souza Gomes
- Schistosomiasis Laboratory and Reference Service, Department of Parasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fiocruz - Ministry of Health (MoH), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Bakuza JS, Gillespie R, Nkwengulila G, Adam A, Kilbride E, Mable BK. Assessing S. mansoni prevalence in Biomphalaria snails in the Gombe ecosystem of western Tanzania: the importance of DNA sequence data for clarifying species identification. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:584. [PMID: 29169384 PMCID: PMC5701381 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2525-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Snails are essential for the transmission and maintenance of schistosomiasis in endemic areas, as they serve as intermediate hosts for schistosome parasites. A clear understanding of the snail species present, their local distribution and infection status is therefore a prerequisite for effective control of schistosomiasis. The purpose of this study was to establish the infection status and distribution of Schistosoma mansoni in snails in the Gombe area along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, using both detection of cercarial shedding and molecular approaches. Methods Snails were collected from streams located close to human settlements in Gombe National Park, as well as from nearby villages (Kiziba, Mtanga, Mwamgongo and Bugamba) and the largest town in the region (Kigoma). Snails were individually exposed to light to induce shedding of schistosome larvae, which were examined using a compound light microscope. Additionally, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster was simultaneously amplified in both snails and their trematodes using a single polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced to confirm species identification. Results Snails morphologically identified as Biomphalaria pfeifferi were present in all streams except at Mtanga but their distribution was patchy in both time and space. Sequencing of PCR products indicated that not all snails were B. pfeifferi. None of the snails from Gombe or Bugamba shed schistosome larvae, while larvae were shed at all other sites. Overall, an infection prevalence of only 12% was observed in snails based on cercarial shedding. While 47% of the snails were PCR-positive for the 500 bp ITS fragment, which was predicted to indicate infection with S. mansoni, sequence data demonstrated that these bands are not species-specific and can be amplified from other trematode infections. In addition, a 1000 bp band was amplified in 14% of samples, which was identified as a trematode in the family Derogenidae. Conclusions The results support the previous assumption that B. pfeifferi snails may be involved in transmitting schistosomiasis in the area but suggest that the community structure of both snails and trematodes may be more complicated than previously thought. This emphasises the importance of confirming species identifications using sequencing, rather than relying only on PCR-based diagnostics or cercarial shedding. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-017-2525-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared S Bakuza
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Robert Gillespie
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gamba Nkwengulila
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Aileen Adam
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Elizabeth Kilbride
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Barbara K Mable
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Use of Molecular Methods for the Rapid Mass Detection of Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda) in Biomphalaria spp. (Gastropoda: Planorbidae). J Trop Med 2017; 2017:8628971. [PMID: 28246533 PMCID: PMC5299187 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8628971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The low stringency-polymerase chain reaction (LS-PCR) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays were used to detect the presence of S. mansoni DNA in (1) Brazilian intermediate hosts (Biomphalaria glabrata, B. straminea, and B. tenagophila) with patent S. mansoni infections, (2) B. glabrata snails with prepatent S. mansoni infections, (3) various mixtures of infected and noninfected snails; and (4) snails infected with other trematode species. The assays showed high sensitivity and specificity and could detect S. mansoni DNA when one positive snail was included in a pool of 1,000 negative specimens of Biomphalaria. These molecular approaches can provide a low-cost, effective, and rapid method for detecting the presence of S. mansoni in pooled samples of field-collected Biomphalaria. These assays should aid mapping of transmission sites in endemic areas, especially in low prevalence regions and improve schistosomiasis surveillance. It will be a useful tool to monitor low infection rates of snails in areas where control interventions are leading towards the elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Pennance T, Person B, Muhsin MA, Khamis AN, Muhsin J, Khamis IS, Mohammed KA, Kabole F, Rollinson D, Knopp S. Urogenital schistosomiasis transmission on Unguja Island, Zanzibar: characterisation of persistent hot-spots. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:646. [PMID: 27986092 PMCID: PMC5162088 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1847-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis transmission is a priority for the Zanzibar Ministry of Health. Preventative chemotherapy together with additional control interventions have successfully alleviated much of the disease burden. However, a persistently high Schistosoma haematobium prevalence is found in certain areas. Our aim was to characterise and evaluate these persistent "hot-spots" of transmission and reinfection in comparison with low-prevalence areas, to support the intervention planning for schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar. METHODS Prevalences of S. haematobium were annually determined by a single urine filtration in schoolchildren from 45 administrative areas (shehias) in Unguja in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Coverage data for biannual treatment with praziquantel were available from ministerial databases and internal surveys. Among the 45 shehias, five hot-spot (≥ 15 % prevalence) and two low-prevalence (≤ 5 %) shehias were identified and surveyed in mid-2014. Human-water contact sites (HWCSs) and the presence of S. haematobium-infected and uninfected Bulinus globosus, as well as safe water sources (SWSs) and their reliability in terms of water availability were determined and mapped. RESULTS We found no major difference in the treatment coverage between persistent hot-spot and low-prevalence shehias. On average, there were considerably more HWCSs containing B. globosus in hot-spot than in low-prevalence shehias (n = 8 vs n = 2) and also more HWCSs containing infected B. globosus (n = 2 vs n = 0). There was no striking difference in the average abundance of SWSs in hot-spot and low-prevalence shehias (n = 45 vs n = 38) and also no difference when considering SWSs with a constant water supply (average: 62 % vs 62 %). The average number of taps with a constant water supply, however, was lower in hot-spot shehias (n = 7 vs n = 14). Average distances from schools to the nearest HWCS were considerably shorter in hot-spot shehias (n = 229 m vs n = 722 m). CONCLUSION The number of HWCSs, their infestation with B. globosus and their distance to schools seem to play a major role for a persistently high S. haematobium prevalence in children. In addition to treatment, increasing access to reliably working taps, targeted snail control at HWCSs near schools and enhanced behaviour change measures are needed to reduce prevalences in hot-spot areas and to finally reach elimination. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN48837681 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pennance
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK.,Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Bobbie Person
- Independent Consultant, Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mtumweni Ali Muhsin
- Zanzibar Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 236, Zanzibar Town, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Alipo Naim Khamis
- Zanzibar Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 236, Zanzibar Town, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Juma Muhsin
- Zanzibar Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 236, Zanzibar Town, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Iddi Simba Khamis
- Zanzibar Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 236, Zanzibar Town, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Khalfan Abdallah Mohammed
- Zanzibar Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 236, Zanzibar Town, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Fatma Kabole
- Zanzibar Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 236, Zanzibar Town, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK. .,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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Biompha-LAMP: A New Rapid Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Detecting Schistosoma mansoni in Biomphalaria glabrata Snail Host. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005225. [PMID: 27941967 PMCID: PMC5179122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis remains one of the most common endemic parasitic diseases affecting over 230 million people worlwide. Schistosoma mansoni is the main species causing intestinal and hepatic schistosomiasis and the fresh water pulmonate snails of the genus Biomphalaria are best known for their role as intermediate hosts of the parasite. The development of new molecular monitoring assays for large-scale screening of snails from transmission sites to detect the presence of schistosomes is an important point to consider for snail control interventions related to schistosomiasis elimination. Our work was focussed on developing and evaluating a new LAMP assay combined with a simple DNA extraction method to detect S. mansoni in experimentally infected snails as a diagnostic tool for field conditions. Methodology/Principal findings A LAMP assay using a set of six primers targeting a sequence of S. mansoni ribosomal intergenic spacer 28S-18S rRNA was designed. The detection limit of the LAMP assay was 0.1 fg of S. mansoni DNA at 63°C for 50 minutes. LAMP was evaluated by examining S. mansoni DNA in B. glabrata snails experimentally exposed to miracidia at different times post-exposure: early prepatent period (before cercarial shedding), light infections (snails exposed to a low number of miracidia) and detection of infected snails in pooled samples (within a group of uninfected snails). DNA for LAMP assays was obtained by using a commercial DNA extraction kit or a simple heat NaOH extraction method. We detected S. mansoni DNA in all groups of snails by using no complicated requirement procedure for DNA obtaining. Conclusions/Significance Our LAMP assay, named Biompha-LAMP, is specific, sensitive, rapid and potentially adaptable as a cost-effective method for screening of intermediate hosts infected with S. mansoni in both individual snails and pooled samples. The assay could be suitable for large-scale field surveys for schistosomes control campaigns in endemic areas. Schistosoma mansoni is the main species causing intestinal and hepatic schistosomiasis worldwide and the snails of the genus Biomphalaria are best known for their role as intermediate hosts of the parasite. Molecular xenomonitoring for large-scale screening of snails from transmission sites to detect the presence of schistosomes is an important point to consider for snail control interventions related to schistosomiasis elimination. In our study, we have developed a new simple rapid LAMP assay to detect S. mansoni in Biomphalaria glabrata snails under different situations of infection: early prepatent period, light or low-grade infections and in snails pooled samples. Besides, a simple and rapid method for DNA extraction from snails' tissues was successfully used. This LAMP assay (named Biompha-LAMP) could be potentially useful for large-scale screening in searching infected snails with S. mansoni in field applicable conditions.
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Characterization of South American Snails of the Genus Biomphalaria (Basommatophora: Planorbidae) and Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda) in Molluscs by PCR-RFLP. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:1045391. [PMID: 27981045 PMCID: PMC5131227 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1045391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The identification of snails of the genus Biomphalaria can be done using morphological characteristics which depends on the size of the snails and skill and knowledge of researcher. These methods sometimes are not adequate for identification of species. The PCR-RFLP, using the ITS region of the rDNA, has been used to identify Brazilian species of the genus Biomphalaria. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information about snails from other Latin American countries. In addition, some snails may be infected by Schistosoma mansoni and when submitted to PCR-RFLP they show molecular profiles different from those previously standardized for the other mollusc species. In this work the molecular profiles of 15 species and the subspecies were established by PCR-RFLP of ITS-rDNA with the enzyme DdeI. Moreover, the molecular profiles of host species, B. glabrata, B. straminea, B. tenagophila, and B. prona, infected by S. mansoni were also established. The molluscs were dissected to permit morphological identification. These results contribute to a correct identification of snails of the genus Biomphalaria and detection of these snails infected by S. mansoni.
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Abstract
Schistosomosis and amphistomosis are the two economically important and widely prevalent snail-borne trematode infections in grazing cattle of southern India. Acute infections are symptomatically similar and difficult to detect by routine microscopy for eggs. The present study was directed towards the development of a copro-polymerase chain reaction (copro-PCR) for detection of bovine schistosome species, using custom-designed primers targeting 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA as well as mitochondrial DNA. The study demonstrated the enhanced diagnostic specificity of mitochondrial DNA markers over ribosomal RNA genes as genus-specific probes to detect schistosomes. We developed a sensitive PCR assay using primers designed from mitochondrial DNA sequences targeting the partial rrnl (16S rRNA), tCys (transfer RNA for cysteine) and partial rrnS (12S rRNA) genes of Schistosoma spindale to specifically detect schistosome infection from faecal samples of naturally infected bovines. The salient findings of the work also throw light on to the high similarity of the ribosomal RNA gene sequences of schistosomes with those of Gastrothylax crumenifer and Fischoederius elongatus, the most prevalent pouched amphistomes of the region. Further investigation has to be directed towards unravelling the complete gene sequences of 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA as well as mitochondrial DNA sequences of amphistome isolates from India.
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He P, Song LG, Xie H, Liang JY, Yuan DY, Wu ZD, Lv ZY. Nucleic acid detection in the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis. Infect Dis Poverty 2016; 5:25. [PMID: 27025210 PMCID: PMC4812660 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0116-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that causes serious harms to humans and animals. Surveillance and diagnosis play key roles in schistosomiasis control, however, current techniques for surveillance and diagnosis of the disease have limitations. As genome data for parasites are increasing, novel techniques for detection incorporating nucleotide sequences are receiving widespread attention. These sensitive, specific, and rapid detection methods are particularly important in the diagnosis of low-grade and early infections, and may prove to have clinical significance. This paper reviews the progress of nucleic acid detection in the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis, including such aspects as the selection of target genes, and development and application of nucleic acid detection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping He
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Pathogenic Biology, Medical School, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, 712082, China
| | - Lan-Gui Song
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jin-Yi Liang
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Dong-Ya Yuan
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Medical School, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, 712082, China
| | - Zhong-Dao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Zhi-Yue Lv
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Lu L, Zhang SM, Mutuku MW, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Relative compatibility of Schistosoma mansoni with Biomphalaria sudanica and B. pfeifferi from Kenya as assessed by PCR amplification of the S. mansoni ND5 gene in conjunction with traditional methods. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:166. [PMID: 27000855 PMCID: PMC4802880 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1457-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma mansoni is hosted by several species of Biomphalaria spp. snails in Africa. We were interested in determining if there were differences in compatibility of S. mansoni with Biomphalaria sudanica from Lake Victoria, or with B. pfeifferi from streams and smaller water bodies in Kenya. Does this parasite develop with equal efficiency in both snail species, and does this have implications for transmission in different habitat types? Methods Primers for PCR amplification of the S. mansoni ND5 gene were designed and tested for sensitivity and specificity. We exposed laboratory-reared B. sudanica and field-derived B. pfeifferi to single miracidium infections and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 days post-exposure (dpe), snails were extracted for the PCR assay. Snails were also shed for cercariae and/or dissected prior to extraction. Additionally, B. sudanica and B. pfeifferi were collected from field locations and tested with the PCR assay. Results The ND5 PCR assay was sensitive (>0.1 fg S. mansoni genomic DNA) and allowed S. mansoni to be differentiated from other relevant schistosome species or snails. The number of PCR positive snails at 1–4 dpe was higher for B. pfeifferi than for B. sudanica, but not significantly so (P = 0.052). From 8–24 dpe, more B. pfeifferi harbored successfully developing parasites (positive by both dissection and PCR) than did B. sudanica (P = 0.008). At 40 dpe, more B. pfeifferi than B. sudanica shed cercariae or harbored dissection positive/PCR positive infections (P < 0.001). Both immature and failed (dissection negative but PCR positive) S. mansoni infections could also be detected in naturally infected snails of both species. Conclusions The PCR assay detected S. mansoni infections in snails exposed to one miracidium for one day. Both B. sudanica and B. pfeifferi supported full development of S. mansoni, but B. pfeifferi was more compatible, with significantly more dissection positive/PCR positive or shedding infections, and significantly fewer failed infections (dissection negative/PCR positive). This highlights the relatively lower compatibility of B. sudanica with S. mansoni, and suggests the factors responsible for incompatibility and how they might affect transmission of S. mansoni in habitats like Lake Victoria deserve additional study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA.
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Martin W Mutuku
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald M Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA.,Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
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Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease that afflicts more than 240 million people, including many children and young adults, in the tropics and subtropics. The disease is characterized by chronic infections with significant residual morbidity and is of considerable public health importance, with substantial socioeconomic impacts on impoverished communities. Morbidity reduction and eventual elimination through integrated intervention measures are the focuses of current schistosomiasis control programs. Precise diagnosis of schistosome infections, in both mammalian and snail intermediate hosts, will play a pivotal role in achieving these goals. Nevertheless, despite extensive efforts over several decades, the search for sensitive and specific diagnostics for schistosomiasis is ongoing. Here we review the area, paying attention to earlier approaches but emphasizing recent developments in the search for new diagnostics for schistosomiasis with practical applications in the research laboratory, the clinic, and the field. Careful and rigorous validation of these assays and their cost-effectiveness will be needed, however, prior to their adoption in support of policy decisions for national public health programs aimed at the control and elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Schunk M, Kebede Mekonnen S, Wondafrash B, Mengele C, Fleischmann E, Herbinger KH, Verweij JJ, Geldmacher C, Bretzel G, Löscher T, Zeynudin A. Use of Occult Blood Detection Cards for Real-Time PCR-Based Diagnosis of Schistosoma Mansoni Infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137730. [PMID: 26360049 PMCID: PMC4567332 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Schistosoma mansoni infection, diagnosis and control after treatment mainly rely on parasitological stool investigations which are laborious and have limited sensitivity. PCR methods have shown equal or superior sensitivity but preservation and storage methods limit their use in the field. Therefore, the use of occult blood detection cards (fecal cards) for easy sampling and storage of fecal samples for further PCR testing was evaluated in a pilot study. Methodology Stool specimens were collected in a highly endemic area for S. mansoni in Ethiopia and submitted in an investigator-blinded fashion to microscopic examination by Kato-Katz thick smear as well as to real-time PCR using either fresh frozen stool samples or stool smears on fecal cards which have been stored at ambient temperature for up to ten months. Principal Findings Out of 55 stool samples, 35 were positive by microscopy, 33 and 32 were positive by PCR of frozen samples and of fecal card samples, respectively. When microscopy was used as diagnostic “gold standard”, the sensitivity of PCR on fresh stool was 94.3% (95%-CI: 86.6; 100) and on fecal cards 91.4% (95%-CI: 82.2; 100). Conclusions The use of fecal cards proved to be a simple and useful method for stool collection and prolonged storage prior to PCR based diagnosis of S. mansoni infection. This technique may be a valuable approach for large scale surveillance and post treatment assessments
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Schunk
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Beyene Wondafrash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Carolin Mengele
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Erna Fleischmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Herbinger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilsburg, the Netherlands
| | - Christof Geldmacher
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gisela Bretzel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Löscher
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (DITM), Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ahmed Zeynudin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Farghaly A, Saleh AA, Mahdy S, Abd El-Khalik D, Abd El-Aal NF, Abdel-Rahman SA, Salama MA. Molecular approach for detecting early prepatent Schistosoma mansoni infection in Biomphalaria alexandrina snail host. J Parasit Dis 2014; 40:805-12. [PMID: 27605788 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0583-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay used for detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Biomphalaria alexandrina snails in early prepatent period and to compare between it and the ordinary detection methods (shedding and crushing). Biomphalaria alexandrina snails are best known for their role as intermediate hosts of S. mansoni. DNA was extracted from infected snails in addition to non-infected "negative control" (to optimized the efficiency of PCR reaction) and subjected to PCR using primers specific to a partial sequence of S. mansoni fructose-1,6-bus phosphate aldolase (SMALDO). SMALDO gene was detected in the infected laboratory snails with 70, 85, and 100 % positivity at the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day of infection, respectively. In contrast, the ordinary method was not sensitive enough in detection of early prepatent infection even after 7 days of infection which showed only 25 % positivity. By comparing the sensitivity of the three methods, it was found that the average sensitivity of shedding method compared to PCR was 23.8 % and the average sensitivity of crushing method compared to PCR was 46.4 % while the sensitivity of PCR was 100 %. We conclude that PCR is superior to the conventional methods and can detect positive cases that were negative when examined by shedding or crushing methods. This can help in detection of the areas and times of high transmission which in turn will be very beneficial in planning of the exact timing of the proper control strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Farghaly
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ayman A Saleh
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Genetics & Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Soad Mahdy
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Dalia Abd El-Khalik
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Naglaa F Abd El-Aal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Sara A Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Salama
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Aboelhadid SM, Thabet M, El-Basel D, Taha R. Digenetic larvae in Schistosome snails from El Fayoum, Egypt with detection of Schistosoma mansoni in the snail by PCR. J Parasit Dis 2014; 40:730-4. [PMID: 27605774 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aims to detect the digenetic larvae infections in Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and also PCR detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection. The snails were collected from different branches of Yousef canal and their derivatives in El Fayoum Governorate. The snails were investigated for infection through induction of cercarial shedding by exposure to light and crushing of the snails. The shed cercariae were S. mansoni, Pharyngeate longifurcate type I and Pharyngeate longifurcate type II from B. alexandrina, while that found in B. truncatus were Schitosoma haematobium and Xiphidiocercaria species cercariae. The seasonal prevalence of infection was discussed. Polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of S. mansoni in the DNA from field collected infected and non infected snails. The results of PCR showed that the pool of B. alexandrina snails which shed S. mansoni cercariae in the laboratory, gave positive reaction in the samples. Pooled samples of field collected B. alexandrina that showed negative microscopic shedding of cercariae gave negative and positive PCR in a consecutive manner. Accordingly, a latent infection in the snail (negative microscopic) could be detected by using PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawky M Aboelhadid
- Parasitology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Marwa Thabet
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, El Fayoum University, El Faiyum, Egypt
| | - Dayhoum El-Basel
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, El Fayoum University, El Faiyum, Egypt
| | - Ragaa Taha
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, El Fayoum University, El Faiyum, Egypt
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Polymerase chain reaction for the amplification of the 121-bp repetitive sequence of Schistosoma mansoni: a highly sensitive potential diagnostic tool for areas of low endemicity. J Helminthol 2014; 89:769-73. [PMID: 25141275 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x14000595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, whose diagnosis has limitations, such as the low sensitivity and specificity of parasitological and immunological methods, respectively. In the present study an alternative molecular technique requiring previous standardization was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the amplification of a 121-bp highly repetitive sequence for Schistosoma mansoni. DNA was extracted from eggs of S. mansoni by salting out. Different conditions were standardized for the PCR technique, including the concentration of reagents and the DNA template, annealing temperature and number of cycles, followed by the determination of the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the technique. Furthermore, the standardized PCR technique was employed in DNA extracted, using Chelex®100, from samples of sera of patients with an immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis. The optimal conditions for the PCR were 2.5 mm MgCl2, 150 mm deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs), 0.4 μm primers, 0.75 U DNA polymerase, using 35 cycles and an annealing temperature of 63°C. The analytical sensitivity of the PCR was 10 attograms of DNA and the specificity was 100%. The DNA sequence was successfully detected in the sera of two patients, demonstrating schistosomiasis transmission, although low, in the community studied. The standardized PCR technique, using smaller amounts of reagents than in the original protocol, is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of DNA from S. mansoni and could be an important tool for diagnosis in areas of low endemicity.
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Amarir F, Sebti F, Abbasi I, Sadak A, Fellah H, Nhammi H, Ameur B, El Idrissi AL, Rhajaoui M. Schistosoma haematobium detection in snails by DraI PCR and Sh110/Sm-Sl PCR: further evidence of the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in Morocco. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:288. [PMID: 24962624 PMCID: PMC4101796 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This is the first study in Morocco to estimate snail infection rates at the last historic transmission sites of schistosomiasis, known to be free from new infection among humans since 2004. Screening of large numbers of snails for infection is one way to confirm that Schistosoma haematobium transmission has stopped and does not resurge. Methods A total of 2703 Bulinus truncatus snails were collected from 24 snail habitats in five provinces of Morocco: Errachidia, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Tata, Beni Mellal, and Chtouka Ait Baha. All visible snails were collected with a scoop net or by hand. We used waders and gloves as simple precautions. Snails were morphologically identified according to Moroccan Health Ministry guide of schistosomiasis (1982). All snails were analyzed in pools by molecular tool, using primers from the newly identified repeated DNA sequence, termed DraI, in the S. haematobium group. To distinguish S. bovis and S. haematobium, the snails were analyzed by Sh110/Sm-Sl PCR that was specific of S. haematobium. Results The results showed that snails from Errachidia, Chtouka Ait Baha, sector of Agoujgal in Tata and sector of Mbarkiya in El kelaa des Sraghna were negative for DraI PCR; but, snails from remaining snail habitats of El Kelaa des Sraghna, Tata and Beni Mellal were positive. This led to suggest the presence of circulating schistosome species (S. haematobium, S. bovis or others) within these positive snail habitats. Subsequently, confirmation with S. haematobium species specific molecular assay, Sh110/Sm-Sl PCR, showed that none of the collected snails were infected by S. haematobium in all historic endemic areas. Conclusion The absence of S. haematobium infection in snails supports the argument of S. haematobium transmission interruption in Morocco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Amarir
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Hygiene, Agdal, Rabat, Morocco.
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Sarhan RM, Kamel HH, Saad GA, Ahmed OA. Evaluation of three extraction methods for molecular detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection in human urine and serum samples. J Parasit Dis 2013; 39:499-507. [PMID: 26345060 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-013-0385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnostic techniques based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Schistosoma spp. DNA in stool, serum, plasma and urine has shown high sensitivity and specificity solving the problems for the low worm burdens and low transmission rates facing the routine microscopic diagnosis. Since PCR assays require efficient unbiased procedures of extraction and purification of nucleic acids. This study compared the efficiencies of simple, manual and feasible DNA extraction methods; a salting out and resin method, phenol/chloroform method to a commercial extraction kit through PCR analysis of human urine and serum samples spiked with known amounts of adult Schistosoma mansoni DNA confirmed by the application on real samples from patients. In artificially spiked urine gradient, the best mean diagnostic performance was that of salting out and resin then phenol/chloroform and last for the commercial kit. All three methods gave positive results in all tested urine samples which insures comparable high efficiency for DNA detection. In artificially spiked serum gradient, the highest mean diagnostic performance was obtained by the kit then salting out and resin and last by phenol chloroform. In patients' urine samples the phenol/chloroform method showed the highest mean diagnostic performance followed by the resin and then the kit. Using patients' serum samples the resin method showed equal mean diagnostic performance with the phenol/chloroform method which was higher compared to the kit. As regards sensitivity from urine samples the resin and phenol/chloroform showed equal results using artificial gradients and patients' samples. In serum samples the resin and phenol/chloroform showed equal results using artificial gradients while the resin showed better results in patients' samples. It is recommended to extract DNA from urine samples and to use the salting out and resin as a manual DNA extraction method from patients' samples for the molecular diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania M Sarhan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanan H Kamel
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghada A Saad
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ossama A Ahmed
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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Detection and quantification of schistosome DNA in freshwater snails using either fluorescent probes in real-time PCR or oligochromatographic dipstick assays targeting the ribosomal intergenic spacer. Acta Trop 2013; 128:241-9. [PMID: 22100540 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Several DNA probes were designed for use in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to target sequence variation within the ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) of schistosomes. A sub-section of the IGS (∼300bp) was amplified, with cross-specific primers, after which group-specific fluorescent, locked nucleic acid probes were assessed for their ability to differentiate and quantify DNA from Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni group parasites. A number of fluorescent probe candidates were screened and validated against genomic DNA from adult schistosome worms and laboratory infected freshwater snails. Two fluorescent, locked nucleic acid probes ShaemLNA5 and SmanLNA2, of 20-26bp in length, were identified and found to be effective in providing evidence of infection in field-collected snails. To adapt these real-time PCR assays for more resource-poor laboratory settings, a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay was developed and primer/probe combinations were modified for use in oligochromatography, a DNA 'dipstick' technology. An appropriate dipstick was developed, inclusive of internal amplification and amplicon migration controls that could be of particular importance for assessing schistosome transmission dynamics. These assays and tools also have future potential for use in detection of schistosome infections in humans and livestock.
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Rollinson D, Knopp S, Levitz S, Stothard JR, Tchuem Tchuenté LA, Garba A, Mohammed KA, Schur N, Person B, Colley DG, Utzinger J. Time to set the agenda for schistosomiasis elimination. Acta Trop 2013; 128:423-40. [PMID: 22580511 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It is time to raise global awareness to the possibility of schistosomiasis elimination and to support endemic countries in their quest to determine the most appropriate approaches to eliminate this persistent and debilitating disease. The main interventions for schistosomiasis control are reviewed, including preventive chemotherapy using praziquantel, snail control, sanitation, safe water supplies, and behaviour change strategies supported by information, education and communication (IEC) materials. Differences in the biology and transmission of the three main Schistosoma species (i.e. Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum), which impact on control interventions, are considered. Sensitive diagnostic procedures to ensure adequate surveillance in areas attaining low endemicity are required. The importance of capacity building is highlighted. To achieve elimination, an intersectoral approach is necessary, with advocacy and action from local communities and the health community to foster cooperative ventures with engineers, the private sector, governments and non-governmental organizations specialized in water supply and sanitation. Examples of successful schistosomiasis control programmes are reviewed to highlight what has been learnt in terms of strategy for control and elimination. These include St. Lucia and other Caribbean islands, Brazil and Venezuela for S. mansoni; Saudi Arabia and Egypt for both S. mansoni and S. haematobium; Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritius and the Islamic Republic of Iran for S. haematobium; Japan and the People's Republic of China for S. japonicum. Additional targets for elimination or even eradication could be the two minor human schistosome species S. guineenisis and S. intercalatum, which have a restricted distribution in West and Central Africa. The examples show that elimination of schistosomiasis is an achievable and desirable goal requiring full integration of preventive chemotherapy with the tools of transmission control. An agenda for the elimination of schistosomiasis would aim to identify the gaps in knowledge, and define the tools, strategies and guidelines that will help national control programmes move towards elimination, including an internationally accepted mechanism that allows verification/confirmation of elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
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Steiner F, Ignatius R, Friedrich-Jaenicke B, Dieckmann S, Harms G, Poppert S, Mockenhaupt FP. Acute schistosomiasis in European students returning from fieldwork at Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania. J Travel Med 2013; 20:380-3. [PMID: 24112100 DOI: 10.1111/jtm.12069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2013] [Revised: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is common in many African regions and poses a risk for travelers and the local population. So far, schistosomiasis in travelers or expatriates returning from the Tanzanian bank of Lake Tanganyika has not been reported. METHODS We report a group of students who sought treatment with signs of acute schistosomiasis after having returned from Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania. Information as to travel and exposure as well as clinical and laboratory data were collected. RESULTS Schistosomiasis was diagnosed in 8 of 16 students from Berlin, Germany, who had returned from a 2- to 3-month stay of fieldwork in Kigoma District at Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania. All 16 students reported frequent freshwater exposure at the lake. Six patients showed signs of acute schistosomiasis and had fever, and some of them also had cough, weakness, headache, or abdominal pain. Eosinophilia was present in five of the six symptomatic individuals. Notably, two serologically enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-positive individuals did not report or present with symptoms or abnormal laboratory parameters. Schistosoma mansoni eggs were found in one symptomatic and one asymptomatic individual each. Blood and stool samples from the other eight individuals who were equally exposed to freshwater yielded negative results. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of an outbreak of acute schistosomiasis imported from the Tanzanian shore of Lake Tanganyika and highlights the risk for travelers and the local population of acquiring the infection in that part of Tanzania. It provides arguments for routine serological screening for schistosomiasis in individuals who had prior freshwater contact in endemic areas, irrespective of symptoms or other laboratory findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Steiner
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Akinwale O, Akpunonu V, Ajayi M, Akande D, Adeleke M, Gyang P, Adebayo M, Dike A. Urinary schistosomiasis transmission in Epe, an urban community of Southwest Nigeria. Trop Parasitol 2013; 1:99-103. [PMID: 23507989 PMCID: PMC3593492 DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.86944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A survey of Schistosoma haematobium infection in Epe, an urban community in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, was carried out to ascertain the possibility that schistosomiasis, otherwise considered a rural disease, could reach urban populations. Materials and Methods: About 100 ml of voided urine samples from 200 pupils aged 6–13 years [109 (54.5%) males and 91 (45.5%) females], attending an Anglican primary school, Ebute Afuye, and a community primary school, Erepoto, were examined parasitologically for hematuria and S. haematobium ova following informed consent obtained from their parents/guardians. All samples were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the schistosome Dra1 gene. Fourteen Bulinus snails collected from the two sites, Ebute Afuye (6) and Erepoto (8), were screened for schistosome infection by the PCR amplification of the schistosome Dra1 gene. PCR-RFLP of the snails’ its region was analyzed for species identification and a subregion of the cox1 gene from four infected snails (two from each site) was amplified and sequenced. Results: In the Anglican primary school, Ebute Afuye, and community primary school, Erepoto, 16% and 29% were positive for hematuria, and 16% and 17% had schistosome ova, respectively. PCR analysis showed that 57% and 40% were positive for the infection in Anglican primary school, Ebute Afuye, and community primary school, Erepoto, respectively. PCR screening of the snails confirmed that four from Ebute Afuye and three from Erepoto were infected with schistosomes. PCR-RFLP showed that all the 14 snails were Bulinus truncatus while phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced partial cox1 gene corroborated the PCR-RFLP results. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of S. haematobium infection among the participants detected by PCR, which was able to detect infection in cases otherwise shown to be negative by hematuria. We also observed that B. truncatus is one of the snail species responsible for the transmission of urinary schistosomiasis in the Epe community. For national control programs, it is very important that trends in the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis in urban cities be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Akinwale
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Public Health Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos State, Nigeria
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Hamburger J, Abbasi I, Kariuki C, Wanjala A, Mzungu E, Mungai P, Muchiri E, King CH. Evaluation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification suitable for molecular monitoring of schistosome-infected snails in field laboratories. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012. [PMID: 23208875 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously described loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni DNA in infected snails. In the present study, we adapted the LAMP assay for application in field laboratories in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Isolation of DNA was simplified by blotting snail tissue (extracted in NaOH/sodium dodecyl sulfate) onto treated membranes, which enabled preservation at ambient temperatures. A ready-mix of LAMP reagents, suitable for shipment at ambient temperature and storage in minimal refrigeration, was used. Local survey teams without experience in molecular biology acquired operational expertise with this test within a few hours. Fifty-four field-caught snails were tested locally by LAMP and 59 were tested at similar conditions in Jerusalem. The LAMP results were consistent with those of a polymerase chain reaction; only four samples showed false-negative results. Results indicate that LAMP assays are suitable for detection of S. haematobium and S. mansoni in low-technology parasitology laboratories in which schistosomiasis elimination activities are undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hamburger
- Kuvin Center, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Zhao GH, Li J, Blair D, Li XY, Elsheikha HM, Lin RQ, Zou FC, Zhu XQ. Biotechnological advances in the diagnosis, species differentiation and phylogenetic analysis of Schistosoma spp. Biotechnol Adv 2012; 30:1381-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 01/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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DNA amplification approaches for the diagnosis of key parasitic helminth infections of humans. Mol Cell Probes 2011; 25:143-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Wongsawad C, Wongsawad P. Molecular markers for identification of Stellantchasmus falcatus and a phylogenic study using the HAT-RAPD method. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2010; 48:303-7. [PMID: 21234232 PMCID: PMC3018579 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2010.48.4.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Stellantchasmus falcatus is a minute intestinal fluke in the family Heterophyidae. Metacercariae, the infective stage, were reported in a marine fish, mullet Liza subviridis, and a fresh water fish, Dermogenus pusillus, in Thailand. Adults were found in chicks, rats, cats, and humans. Morphological studies were done for comparing Stellantchasmus sp. worms found in 2 different fish hosts; their shapes and organ arrangements were very similar except for the prepharynx length. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare their DNA fingerprints using the HAT-RAPD method for both types of Stellantchasmus and several other related species. Ten arbitrarily selected primers (OPA-04, OPA-09, OPN-02, OPN-03, OPN-09, OPN-12, OPP-11, OPR-15, OPX-13, and OPAD-01) were used. It was found that OPA-09, OPN-03, and OPAD-01 were able to generate S. falcatus specific fragments in mullets which consisted of 200, 760, and 280 bp, respectively. In addition, the results of morphologic, DNA fingerprinting, and phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that the fresh water and marine specimens of Stellantchamus may be different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalobol Wongsawad
- Department of Biology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
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Abbasi I, King CH, Muchiri EM, Hamburger J. Detection of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium DNA by loop-mediated isothermal amplification: identification of infected snails from early prepatency. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010; 83:427-32. [PMID: 20682894 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring post-control transmission of schistosomes by examining humans becomes less effective as infection rates among humans decrease. Molecular monitoring of prepatent schistosome infection in snails by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used for studying human-to-snail transmission, and snail prepatent infection rates were found to correspond to infection prevalence and average intensity in human populations contacting the sites studied. We have now developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for identifying Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium to facilitate large-scale evaluation of post-intervention transmission potential. LAMP primers were designed based on the Sm1-7 and DraI repeated sequences of the corresponding schistosomes, and amplification by LAMP of these 121-basepair highly abundant sequences provided a detection sensitivity of 0.1 fg of genomic DNA. When these LAMP assays were applied for examining infected laboratory snails, it was possible to identify infection from the first day after exposure to miracidia. The potential advantages of these assays are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Abbasi
- Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
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Abou Elseoud SMF, Abdel Fattah NS, Ezz El Din HM, Abdel Al H, Mossalem H, Elleboudy N. Carboxylic acids as biomarkers of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails infected with Schistosoma mansoni. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2010; 48:127-32. [PMID: 20585528 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2010.48.2.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 05/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Biomphalaria alexandrina snails play an indispensable role in transmission of schistosomiasis. Infection rates in field populations of snails are routinely determined by cercarial shedding neglecting prepatent snail infections, because of lack of a suitable method for diagnosis. The present study aimed at separation and quantification of oxalic, malic, acetic, pyruvic, and fumaric acids using ion-suppression reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to test the potentiality of these acids to be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. The assay was done in both hemolymph and digestive gland-gonad complex (DGG) samples in a total of 300 B. alexandrina snails. All of the studied acids in both the hemolymph and tissue samples except for the fumaric acid in hemolymph appeared to be good diagnostic biomarkers as they provide not only a good discrimination between the infected snails from the control but also between the studied stages of infection from each other. The most sensitive discriminating acid was malic acid in hemolymph samples as it showed the highest F-ratio. Using the Z-score, malic acid was found to be a good potential therapeutic biomarker in the prepatency stage, oxalic acid and acetic acid in the stage of patency, and malic acid and acetic acid at 2 weeks after patency. Quantification of carboxylic acids, using HPLC strategy, was fast, easy, and accurate in prediction of infected and uninfected snails and possibly to detect the stage of infection. It seems also useful for detection of the most suitable acids to be used as drug targets.
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Gomes LI, Marques LHDS, Enk MJ, de Oliveira MC, Coelho PMZ, Rabello A. Development and evaluation of a sensitive PCR-ELISA system for detection of schistosoma infection in feces. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010; 4:e664. [PMID: 20421918 PMCID: PMC2857640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) was developed to overcome the need for sensitive techniques for the efficient diagnosis of Schistosoma infection in endemic settings with low parasitic burden. Methodology/Principal Findings This system amplifies a 121-base pair tandem repeat DNA sequence, immobilizes the resultant 5′ biotinylated product on streptavidin-coated strip-well microplates and uses anti-fluorescein antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase to detect the hybridized fluorescein-labeled oligonucleotide probe. The detection limit of the Schistosoma PCR-ELISA system was determined to be 1.3 fg of S. mansoni genomic DNA (less than the amount found in a single cell) and estimated to be 0.15 S. mansoni eggs per gram of feces (fractions of an egg). The system showed good precision and genus specificity since the DNA target was found in seven Schistosoma DNA samples: S. mansoni, S. haematobium, S. bovis, S. intercalatum, S. japonicum, S. magrebowiei and S. rhodaini. By evaluating 206 patients living in an endemic area in Brazil, the prevalence of S. mansoni infection was determined to be 18% by examining 12 Kato-Katz slides (41.7 mg/smear, 500 mg total) of a single fecal sample from each person, while the Schistosoma PCR-ELISA identified a 30% rate of infection using 500-mg of the same fecal sample. When considering the Kato-Katz method as the reference test, artificial sensitivity and specificity rates of the PCR-ELISA system were 97.4% and 85.1%, respectively. The potential for estimating parasitic load by DNA detection in feces was assessed by comparing absorbance values and eggs per gram of feces, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.700 (P<0.0001). Conclusions/Significance This study reports the development and field evaluation of a sensitive Schistosoma PCR-ELISA, a system that may serve as an alternative for diagnosing Schistosoma infection. Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by worms of the genus Schistosoma. The transmission cycle requires contamination of bodies of water by parasite eggs present in excreta, specific snails as intermediate hosts and human contact with water. Fortunately, relatively safe and easily administrable drugs are available and, as the outcome of repeated treatment, a reduction of severe clinical forms and a decrease in the number of infected persons has been reported in endemic areas. The routine method for diagnosis is the microscopic examination but it fails when there are few eggs in the feces, as usually occurs in treated but noncured persons or in areas with low levels of transmission. This study reports the development of the PCR-ELISA system for the detection of Schistosoma DNA in human feces as an alternative approach to diagnose light infections. The system permits the enzymatic amplification of a specific region of the DNA from minute amounts of parasite material. Using the proposed PCR-ELISA approach for the diagnosis of a population in an endemic area in Brazil, 30% were found to be infected, as compared with the 18% found by microscopic fecal examination. Although the technique requires a complex laboratory infrastructure and specific funding it may be used by control programs targeting the elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Inácia Gomes
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Letícia Helena dos Santos Marques
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Martin Johannes Enk
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Cláudia de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Marcos Zech Coelho
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Rabello
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Molecular approaches are providing new insights into the genetic diversity of schistosomes and their intermediate snail hosts. For instance, molecular tools based on the polymerase chain reaction are being developed for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis and the detection of prepatent schistosome infections in snails at transmission sites. Robust phylogenies of the different species of Schistosoma, Bulinus and Biomphalaria have been determined and novel methods are available to identify the different and cryptic taxa involved. Microsatellite analyses and mitochondrial DNA sequencing methods have been developed and are contributing to a better understanding of the genetic structure of both schistosome and snail populations. New sampling procedures to capture DNA of eggs and larval stages of schistosomes in field situations are facilitating more detailed and ethically advantageous studies on parasite heterogeneity. Knowledge of the genetic diversity of schistosome and snail populations adds a further dimension to the monitoring and surveillance of disease, and the implementation of new molecular-based approaches will be of increasing importance in helping to assess the impact of schistosomiasis control strategies.
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Wongsawad C, Wongsawad P, Chai JY, Anuntalabhochai S. Haplorchis taichui, Witenberg, 1930: Development of a HAT-RAPD marker for the detection of minute intestinal fluke infection. Exp Parasitol 2009; 123:158-61. [PMID: 19563805 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2008] [Revised: 06/12/2009] [Accepted: 06/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Specific primers to determine the presence of an intestinal fluke, Haplorchis taichui, were investigated using the high annealing temperature random amplified polymorphic DNA (HAT-RAPD) PCR, and 18 arbitrary primers (Operon Technologies), to generate different polymorphic DNA profiles. Thirteen kinds of parasites were used to compare fingerprints. A 256bp HAT-RAPD marker, generated from the OPP-11 primer, was found to be H. taichui-specific, and this marker was cloned, transformed, and sequenced. From the sequence data, a pair of primers were designed with Genetyx-MAC ver.11 and indicated as: Hap-t F 5'-GGC CAA CGC AAT CGT CAT CC-3' and Hap-t R 5'-GCG TCG GGT TTC AGA CAT GG-3'. These specific primers were tested for efficacy and specificity by amplifying them with all 13 parasites DNAs in PCR reaction. A 256bp amplicon was generated, which was shown to have a positive result, only for H. taichui DNA. It revealed no cross-reaction with any of the other tested parasite species. The minimum DNA template, needed for detection by PCR, was 0.1picogram (pg). The successful development of H. taichui-specific primers is expected to be beneficial for epidemiological studies and for prevention and control of these parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalobol Wongsawad
- Department of Biology, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
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