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Karakavuk M, Can H, Can Ş, Karakavuk T, Döşkaya M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Development of a "Rapid-Crypto Colorimetric LAMP Test" to Detect Cryptosporidiosis in Feces of Newborns Calves. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:691-699. [PMID: 38358452 PMCID: PMC11001726 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00791-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidiosis is a disease that causes major intestinal damage in humans and animals. The causative agents of the disease are Cryptosporidium species. In newborn calves, diarrhea can lead to death, resulting in significant economic losses for the farms. Therefore, accurate, rapid, and cost-effective diagnosis of the disease is very important. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, a novel colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test named "Rapid-Crypto Colorimetric LAMP test" targeting Cryptosporidium spp. 18S rRNA gene was developed to detect cryptosporidiosis in the feces of newborn calves. The analytical sensitivity of the test was determined by plasmid controls. Clinical sensitivity was determined using the feces of 127 calves collected from farms in İzmir and Manisa provinces. All of the samples were also investigated with Real-Time PCR targeting the Cryptosporidium spp. COWP gene. Cross-reactivity was tested using the DNA of other parasites and bacteria. RESULTS According to the results, the analytical sensitivity of the "Rapid-Crypto Colorimetric LAMP test" was found as 1 copy plasmid/reaction. When the results were compared with the Real-Time PCR test, the sensitivity of the "Rapid-Crypto Colorimetric LAMP test" was 100% and the specificity was 97.4%. The test did not cross-react with other parasites and bacteria. CONCLUSION: The "Rapid-Crypto Colorimetric LAMP test" developed in this study provides an advantage in the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in calf stool samples since it can be applied in basic laboratories or in the field, does not require experienced personnel, and has high sensitivity. Moreover, diagnosis can be made with the naked eye without using any device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Ödemiş Vocational School, Ödemiş, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ucyıldız Biotechnology and Veterinary Services, Yunusemre, Manisa, Türkiye
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Şengül Can
- Ucyıldız Biotechnology and Veterinary Services, Yunusemre, Manisa, Türkiye
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
- Research Entrepreneurship and Innovation Coordination Center, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Yunusemre, Manisa, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ucyıldız Biotechnology and Veterinary Services, Yunusemre, Manisa, Türkiye
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Al-Refai MF, Wakid MH. Prevalence of intestinal parasites and comparison of detection techniques for soil-transmitted helminths among newly arrived expatriate labors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16820. [PMID: 38288465 PMCID: PMC10823990 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Diversity in clinical signs and symptoms are associated with soil transmitted diseases (STD), which are spread to humans by intestinal worms and transmitted in a variety of ways. There is a need for the present study, which aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and to compare between the common detection techniques for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among newly arrived expatriate labors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 188 stool samples were analyzed by macroscopic examination, and microscopic examination using direct iodine smear and the formal ether sedimentation technique. Trichrome and modified Kinyoun's stains were used to confirm the morphology of any detected protozoa stages and oocyst of Cryptosporidium, respectively. A chromatographic immunoassay kit was used for Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium. In addition, real-time PCR was employed only to identify various STHs. Results Out of 188, several types of parasites were detected in 35 samples (18.62%), of which some with multiple infections. Nine samples (4.79%) were positive for Entamoeba coli, seven samples (3.72%) for Trichuris trichiura, six samples (3.19%) for Necator americanus, four samples (2.13%) for Strongyloides stercoralis, four samples (2.13%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, four samples (2.13%) for E. histolytica, three samples (1.60%) for Blastocystis hominis and two samples (1.06%) for Ancylostoma duodenale. In comparison between laboratory techniques for STHs, real-time PCR was able to detect the DNA of 19 samples (10.1%) followed by Ritchie sedimentation technique (18, 9.6%), and direct smear (7, 3.7%) (p > 0.05). Conclusion The high rate of newly arrived foreign workers infected with intestinal parasites could lead to a risk to society. Continuous and regular surveys are needed to deal with the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections including STHs. To improve the identification of these infections, we recommend a supporting infrastructure for the application of concentration methods and molecular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad F. Al-Refai
- Medical Microbiology, Department of Medical Laboratories, King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majed H. Wakid
- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Packi K, Rudek A, Matysiak J, Klimczak S, Matuszewska E, Rzetecka N, Matysiak J. Food Allergies and Parasites in Children. Foods 2023; 12:2465. [PMID: 37444203 DOI: 10.3390/foods12132465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamically growing incidence of food allergies forces the scientific community to develop new methods for their diagnosis, differentiation, and effective treatment. Parasitoses appear much less frequently in the scientific literature, as well as among the presumed causes of numerous conditions. The similarity of inflammatory mechanisms in allergies and parasitosis necessitates a revision of current diagnostic standards. A lack of specificity and the coincidence of symptoms at an early stage of disease can lead to misdiagnosis. In this paper, we attempted to perform a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in symptoms for these two types of diseases. We described the molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways of food allergy and parasitosis. We presented the available research methods and directions of ongoing studies aimed at implementing precise medical techniques for differential diagnosis. We discussed the allergenic properties of certain parasite proteins, using the example of myofibrillar tropomyosins from the nematode Anisakis simplex. The literature in the fields of allergology and parasitology leads to the conclusion that it is reasonable to run parallel allergological and parasitological diagnostics in patients with non-specific symptoms. This approach will facilitate accurate and early diagnosis and implementation of effective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper Packi
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
- AllerGen Center of Personalized Medicine, 97-300 Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
| | - Alicja Rudek
- AllerGen Center of Personalized Medicine, 97-300 Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
| | - Joanna Matysiak
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Calisia University-Kalisz, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
| | - Sylwia Klimczak
- AllerGen Center of Personalized Medicine, 97-300 Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland
- Department of Nucleic Acid Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - Eliza Matuszewska
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Natalia Rzetecka
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jan Matysiak
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
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Abstract
The identification of thousands of proteins and their relative levels of expression has furthered understanding of biological processes and disease and stimulated new systems biology hypotheses. Quantitative proteomics workflows that rely on analytical assays such as mass spectrometry have facilitated high-throughput measurements of proteins partially due to multiplexing. Multiplexing allows proteome differences across multiple samples to be measured simultaneously, resulting in more accurate quantitation, increased statistical robustness, reduced analysis times, and lower experimental costs. The number of samples that can be multiplexed has evolved from as few as two to more than 50, with studies involving more than 10 samples being denoted as enhanced multiplexing or hyperplexing. In this review, we give an update on emerging multiplexing proteomics techniques and highlight advantages and limitations for enhanced multiplexing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey L Bowser
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA;
| | - Renã A S Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA;
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Miswan N, Singham GV, Othman N. Advantages and Limitations of Microscopy and Molecular Detections for Diagnosis of Soil-transmitted Helminths: An Overview. Helminthologia 2022; 59:321-40. [PMID: 36875683 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2022-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1.5 billion people are infected by soil-transmitted helminths (STH) worldwide in sub-Saharan Africa, the United States of America, China, and East Asia. Heavy infections and polyparasitism are associated with higher morbidity rates, and the patients are exposed to increased vulnerability to other diseases. Therefore, accurate diagnosis followed by mass treatment for morbidity control is necessary.STH diagnosis commonly involves the microscopic observation of the presence of the STH eggs and larvae in the faecal samples. Furthermore, molecular approaches are increasingly utilised in monitoring and surveillance as they show higher sensitivity. Their capability to differentiate hookworm species is an advantage over the Kato-Katz technique. This review discusses the advantages and limitations of microscopy and various molecular tools used for STH detection.
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Cui M, Cheng C, Zhang L. High-throughput proteomics: a methodological mini-review. J Transl Med 2022; 102:1170-1181. [PMID: 36775443 PMCID: PMC9362039 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-022-00830-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteomics plays a vital role in biomedical research in the post-genomic era. With the technological revolution and emerging computational and statistic models, proteomic methodology has evolved rapidly in the past decade and shed light on solving complicated biomedical problems. Here, we summarize scientific research and clinical practice of existing and emerging high-throughput proteomics approaches, including mass spectrometry, protein pathway array, next-generation tissue microarrays, single-cell proteomics, single-molecule proteomics, Luminex, Simoa and Olink Proteomics. We also discuss important computational methods and statistical algorithms that can maximize the mining of proteomic data with clinical and/or other 'omics data. Various principles and precautions are provided for better utilization of these tools. In summary, the advances in high-throughput proteomics will not only help better understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, but also to identify the signature signaling networks of specific diseases. Thus, modern proteomics have a range of potential applications in basic research, prognostic oncology, precision medicine, and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Cui
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai West, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Lanjing Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, NJ, USA. .,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. .,Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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de Figueiredo AM, Glória JC, Chaves YO, Neves WLL, Mariúba LAM. Diagnostic applications of microsphere-based flow cytometry: A review. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2022; 247:1852-1861. [PMID: 35974694 PMCID: PMC9679357 DOI: 10.1177/15353702221113856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsphere-based flow cytometry is a highly sensitive emerging technology for specific detection and clinical analysis of antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids of interest. In this review, studies that focused on the application of flow cytometry as a viable alternative for the investigation of infectious diseases were analyzed. Many of the studies involve research aimed at epidemiological surveillance, vaccine candidates and early diagnosis, non-infectious diseases, specifically cancer, and emphasize the simultaneous detection of biomarkers for early diagnosis, with accurate results in a non-invasive approach. The possibility of carrying out multiplexed assays affords this technique high versatility and performance, which is evidenced in a series of clinical studies that have verified the ability to detect several molecules in low concentrations and with minimal sample volume. As such, we demonstrate that microsphere-based flow cytometry presents itself as a promising technique that can be adopted as a fundamental element in the development of new diagnostic methods for a number of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliane Corrêa Glória
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-005, Brazil
| | - Yury Oliveira Chaves
- Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane (ILMD), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Manaus 69057-070, Brazil,Programa de Pós-graduação em biologia parasitária, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz – FIOCRUZ, Manaus 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Walter Luiz Lima Neves
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-00, Brazil
| | - Luis André Morais Mariúba
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-005, Brazil,Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane (ILMD), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Manaus 69057-070, Brazil,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Manaus 69067-00, Brazil,Luis André Morais Mariúba.
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Müller A, Frickmann H, Tannich E, Poppert S, Hagen RM. Colitis caused by Entamoeba histolytica identified by real-time-PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2022; 12:84-91. [PMID: 36136732 PMCID: PMC9530678 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2022.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal amoebiasis in a 35-year-old German patient with a 3 weeks travel history in Indonesia was initially misidentified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-drug associated colitis in colonoscopy and histopathological analysis. Furthermore, initial stool examination by microscopy and Entamoeba faecal antigen ELISA did not reveal any protozoan infection. When cessation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and mesalazine treatment did not lead to clinical improvement, the patient presented to a specialist for tropical diseases. An intensive reinvestigation including a workup of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded colonic biopsies by molecular analysis with real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) proofed the diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica colitis. Molecular methods including real-time PCR and FISH for the diagnosis of amoebiasis from histopathological samples are rarely used for the diagnosis of E. histolytica infections. Bloody diarrhoea vanished after the onset of metronidazole treatment. In conclusion, the here-presented case demonstrates how modern molecular diagnostics may help to diagnose E. histolytica-associated colitis, even from difficult specimens like paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Müller
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Missioklinik, 97074Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057Rostock, Germany
| | - Egbert Tannich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Poppert
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Matthias Hagen
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, 56070Koblenz, Germany
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Fitri LE, Candradikusuma D, Setia YD, Wibawa PA, Iskandar A, Winaris N, Pawestri AR. Diagnostic Methods of Common Intestinal Protozoa: Current and Future Immunological and Molecular Methods. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:253. [PMID: 36287994 PMCID: PMC9606991 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal protozoan infection is a persisting public health problem affecting the populations of developing countries in the tropical and subtropical regions. The diagnosis of intestinal protozoa remains a challenge especially in developing countries due to a shortage of laboratory facilities, limited health funding, and the remoteness of communities. Despite still being widely used, conventional diagnoses using microscopy and staining methods pose important limitations, particularly due to their low sensitivities and specificities. The selection of diagnostic methods needs to be carefully considered based on the objective of examination, availability of resources, and the expected parasite to be found. In this review, we describe various immunodiagnosis and molecular diagnostic methods for intestinal protozoa infection, including their advantages, disadvantages, and suitability for different settings, with a focus on Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium spp.
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Rinaldi L, Krücken J, Martinez-Valladares M, Pepe P, Maurelli MP, de Queiroz C, Castilla Gómez de Agüero V, Wang T, Cringoli G, Charlier J, Gilleard JS, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Advances in diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals. Adv Parasitol 2022; 118:85-176. [PMID: 36088084 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals has been neglected for years and there has been an historical underinvestment in the development and improvement of diagnostic tools, undermining the undoubted utility of surveillance and control programmes. However, a new impetus by the scientific community and the quickening pace of technological innovations, are promoting a renaissance of interest in developing diagnostic capacity for nematode infections in veterinary parasitology. A cross-cutting priority for diagnostic tools is the development of pen-side tests and associated decision support tools that rapidly inform on the levels of infection and morbidity. This includes development of scalable, parasite detection using artificial intelligence for automated counting of parasitic elements and research towards establishing biomarkers using innovative molecular and proteomic methods. The aim of this review is to assess the state-of-the-art in the diagnosis of helminth infections in livestock and companion animals and presents the current advances of diagnostic methods for intestinal parasites harnessing (i) automated methods for copromicroscopy based on artificial intelligence, (ii) immunodiagnosis, and (iii) molecular- and proteome-based approaches. Regardless of the method used, multiple factors need to be considered before diagnostics test results can be interpreted in terms of control decisions. Guidelines on how to apply diagnostics and how to interpret test results in different animal species are increasingly requested and some were recently made available in veterinary parasitology for the different domestic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - J Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - P Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - M P Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - C de Queiroz
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3331 Hospital Drive, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, St Georges University, Grenada
| | - V Castilla Gómez de Agüero
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - T Wang
- Kreavet, Kruibeke, Belgium
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - J S Gilleard
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3331 Hospital Drive, Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Program University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - G von Samson-Himmelstjerna
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Aung E, Han KT, Gordon CA, Hlaing NN, Aye MM, Htun MW, Wai KT, Myat SM, Thwe TL, Tun A, Wangdi K, Li Y, Williams GM, Clements ACA, Vaz Nery S, McManus DP, Gray DJ. High prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Myanmar schoolchildren. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:28. [PMID: 35272701 PMCID: PMC8908594 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-00952-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Achieving the elimination of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections requires a sufficient understanding of the current epidemiological status of STH endemicity. We aimed to examine the status of STH in Myanmar – a country with the eighth highest STH prevalence in the world, 10 years after instigation of the national deworming programme. Methods In August 2016 we screened for STH infections using Kato Katz (KK) microscopy and real-time PCR (qPCR) in schoolchildren from the Bago Region township of Phyu, a STH sentinel site in Myanmar. Ten schools were randomly selected, and one stool sample each from a total of 264 students was examined. Prevalence and intensity of infection were calculated for each STH. Results High prevalence of STH was identified in the study area with 78.8% of the schoolchildren infected with at least one STH by qPCR, and 33.3% by KK. The most prevalent STH was Trichuris trichiura, diagnosed by both KK (26.1%) and qPCR (67.1%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (15.5% KK; 54.9% qPCR). No hookworm infections were identified by KK; however, the qPCR analysis showed a high prevalence of Ancylostoma sp. infection (29.6%) with few Necator americanus (1.1%) infections. Conclusions Despite bi-annual deworming of schoolchildren in the fourth-grade and below, STH prevalence remains stubbornly high. These results informed the expansion of the Myanmar National STH control programme to include all school-aged children by the Ministry of Health and Sports in 2017, however further expansion to the whole community should be considered along with improving sanitation and hygiene measures. This would be augmented by rigorous monitoring and evaluation, including national prevalence surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eindra Aung
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kay Thwe Han
- Parasitology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Catherine A Gordon
- Infectious Diseases Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Moe Moe Aye
- Department of Zoology, University of Yangon, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Myo Win Htun
- Parasitology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Khin Thet Wai
- Parasitology Research Division, Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Su Mon Myat
- Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Thida Lay Thwe
- Department of Zoology, University of Yangon, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Aung Tun
- Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Kinley Wangdi
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Yuesheng Li
- Infectious Diseases Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Control On Schistosomiasis in Lake Region, Yueyang, China
| | - Gail M Williams
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Archie C A Clements
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Susana Vaz Nery
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Infectious Diseases Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Darren J Gray
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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Costa IN, Bosqui LR, Corral MA, Costa-Cruz JM, Gryschek RCB, de Paula FM. Diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis: Application in clinical practice. Acta Trop 2021; 223:106081. [PMID: 34364894 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This review considers the advantages and disadvantages of parasitological techniques, methods of detecting antibodies and antigens, as well as molecular biology techniques in the diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. In addition, it elucidates the potential of different techniques for rapid and effective detection of clinical cases, thus enabling early treatment and preventing fatal consequences of this helminthiasis.
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13
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Weinreich F, Hahn A, Eberhardt KA, Feldt T, Sarfo FS, Di Cristanziano V, Frickmann H, Loderstädt U. Comparison of Three Real-Time PCR Assays Targeting the SSU rRNA Gene, the COWP Gene and the DnaJ-Like Protein Gene for the Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in Stool Samples. Pathogens 2021; 10:1131. [PMID: 34578163 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As qualified microscopy of enteric parasitoses as defined by high diagnostic accuracy is difficult to maintain in non-endemic areas due to scarce opportunities for practicing with positive sample materials, molecular diagnostic options provide less investigator-dependent alternatives. Here, we compared three molecular targets for the real-time PCR-based detection of Cryptosporidium spp. From a population of 1000 individuals comprising both Ghanaian HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) patients and military returnees after deployment in the tropics, stool samples were assessed for Cryptosporidium spp. by real-time PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall (COWP) gene, and the DnaJ-like protein gene (DnaJ), respectively. In declining order, sensitivity of 100% for the SSU rRNA gene PCR, 90.0% for the COWP PCR and 88.8% for the DnaJ PCR, respectively, as well as specificity of 99.6% for the COWP PCR and 96.9% for both the SSU rRNA gene PCR and the DnaJ PCR, respectively, were recorded. Substantial agreement (kappa value 0.663) between the three assays was observed. Further, an accuracy-adjusted Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence of 6.0% was calculated for the study population. In conclusion, none of the assessed real-time PCR assays were associated with perfect test accuracy. However, a combination of highly sensitive SSU rRNA gene PCR for screening purposes and more specific COWP PCR for confirmatory testing should allow reliable diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples even in low prevalence settings.
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14
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Karabey M, Can H, Öner TÖ, Döşkaya M, Alak SE, Döşkaya AD, Karakavuk M, Köseoğlu AE, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Alacacıoğlu A, Pektaş B, Gül A, Kaya S, Gökmen AA. Cryptosporidium spp. during chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study of 94 patients with malignant solid tumor. Ann Saudi Med 2021; 41:293-298. [PMID: 34618605 PMCID: PMC8497003 DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2021.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that infects many vertebrate animals, including humans. Since Cryptosporidium spp. can cause chronic life-threatening diarrhea and severe malabsorption in immunocompromised patients, we investigated the prevalence of this parasite among patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors. OBJECTIVE Investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Tertiary care. PATIENTS AND METHODS Stool samples were collected from adult patients with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy and diarrhea. Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was determined using Ziehl-Neelsen staining, ELISA, and real-time PCR targeting of the COWP gene. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors. SAMPLE SIZE 94 RESULTS: The prevalence was 2.1% (2/94), 5.3% (5/94), and 5.3% (5/94) as detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The prevalence reached 8.5% (8/94) using all results obtained from the three methods. Among eight positive stool samples, four were positive by at least two different methods (Ziehl-Neelsen staining-ELISA or ELISA-real-time PCR) whereas the remaining four were positive by either ELISA or real-time PCR. CONCLUSION These findings show the risk of cryptosporidiosis in cancer patients and the necessity to use at least two diagnostic methods during the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis to reach more accurate and trustworthy results. LIMITATIONS Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Karabey
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- From the Department of Biology, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Tülay Öncü Öner
- From the Department of Bioengineering, Manisa Celal Bayar Universitesi, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- From the Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | | | | | | | - Cemal Ün
- From the Department of Biology, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Ahmet Alacacıoğlu
- From the Department of Medical Oncology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bayram Pektaş
- From theızmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Microbiology,ızmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- From the Department of Bioengineering, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Kaya
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Aksoy Gökmen
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
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15
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Abstract
Infections causes by parasites of the gastrointestinal tract are a global public health problem. In industrialised countries, their particular epidemiological (low general prevalence of enteroparasites), economic (high labour costs) and clinical characteristics (constant increase in the number of samples and diagnostic determinations to be performed) have led molecular techniques to progressively replace conventional microscopy as the first-line diagnostic method of these pathogens in modern clinical laboratories. PCR-based techniques, particularly those developed for the simultaneous detection of the various agents that can cause the same infectious disease (syndromic diagnosis), already represent a cost-effective option that allow process automisation, workflow optimisation, and comparison of results among different laboratories, and facilitate accreditation of diagnostic procedures. This review clearly and concisely discusses the current situation of the molecular diagnosis of the main species of intestinal parasites in humans, particularly the enteric protozoans causing diarrhoea (Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica), the most important members the Microsporidia phyla (Enterocytozoon bieneusi) and Stramenopiles phyla (Blastocystis sp.), as well as the helminths transmitted by soil (Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura) and food (Anisakis spp., Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola spp., Taenia solium, and Trichinella spiralis). Special attention is paid to the description of available techniques and formats, to their diagnostic benefits and the most widely used genetic markers for their detection, both in clinical laboratories and genotyping in referral and research centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dacal
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - David Carmena
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
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16
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Wahed MAA, Shehab YEA, Abou-Seri HM, Awad YMM. Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis among Children with Acute Gastroenteritis at a Tertiary Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. J Trop Pediatr 2021; 67:6344869. [PMID: 34363077 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmab064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies on gastroenteritis have focused on viral and bacterial infections, while gastroenteritis where intestinal protozoan parasites may have played a role has not been well studied. This study was therefore, designed to assess the frequency and several potential risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection among children suffering from acute gastroenteritis and presented to a tertiary hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Effectiveness of modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) for Cryptosporidium detection were evaluated as well. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed during the period from July 2018 to December 2018, where 100 human diarrheic stool samples were collected from children aged 3 months up to 12 years old presented to Ain Shams University Pediatrics Hospital, Cairo, Egypt with acute gastroenteritis. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the participants. Initial parasite screening was done using the MZN staining method, and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium infection, while genotyping was based on molecular diagnostic assays using nPCR and sequencing for selected samples. RESULTS The overall frequency of Cryptosporidium infection was 5% using light microscopy, while 19% of samples were positive by nPCR. Cryptosporidium hominis was the only detected genotype. Clinical picture among cases were not significant in comparison to patients with other causes of gastroenteritis. CONCLUSION Cryptosporidium infection is more common below 5 years of age; however, clinical data are not enough for suspicion of infection. Nucleic acid-based methods are more sensitive and specific despite the high cost in developing countries. However, real estimation of Cryptosporidium disease burden is of an outmost importance to achieve prevention and detection of the Cryptosporidium species genetic diversity. Lay summaryCryptosporidium is a protozoan, which causes gastroenteritis in humans. It is most common below 5 years of age; however, diarrhea and vomiting characteristics are not different from other causes of gastroenteritis. General diagnostic methods are inadequate for detection of these infections. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and sequencing are accurate methods for pathogen detection and species verification. Our study included 100 Egyptian children with acute gastroenteritis. The overall frequency of Cryptosporidium infection was 5% using light microscopy, while 19% of samples were positive by nPCR. The clinical picture of the children presenting with this disease was not significantly different from those presenting with gastroenteritis due to other causes. This emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis to know the true burden of the disease.
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17
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Nouatin O, Mengue JB, Dejon-Agobé JC, Fendel R, Ibáñez J, Ngoa UA, Edoa JR, Adégbité BR, Honkpéhédji YJ, Zinsou JF, Hounkpatin AB, Moutairou K, Homoet A, Esen M, Kreidenweiss A, Hoffman SL, Theisen M, Luty AJF, Lell B, Agnandji ST, Mombo-Ngoma G, Ramharter M, Kremsner P, Mordmüller B, Adegnika AA. Exploratory analysis of the effect of helminth infection on the immunogenicity and efficacy of the asexual blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate GMZ2. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009361. [PMID: 34061838 PMCID: PMC8195366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Helminths can modulate the host immune response to Plasmodium falciparum and can therefore affect the risk of clinical malaria. We assessed here the effect of helminth infections on both the immunogenicity and efficacy of the GMZ2 malaria vaccine candidate, a recombinant protein consisting of conserved domains of GLURP and MSP3, two asexual blood-stage antigens of P. falciparum. Controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) was used to assess the efficacy of the vaccine. Methodology In a randomized, double-blind Phase I clinical trial, fifty, healthy, lifelong malaria-exposed adult volunteers received three doses of GMZ2 adjuvanted with either Cationic Adjuvant Formulation (CAF) 01 or Alhydrogel, or a control vaccine (Rabies) on days (D) 0, D28 and D56, followed by direct venous inoculation (DVI) of 3,200 P. falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZ Challenge) approximately 13 weeks after last vaccination to assess vaccine efficacy. Participants were followed-up on a daily basis with clinical examinations and thick blood smears to monitor P. falciparum parasitemia for 35 days. Malaria was defined as the presence of P. falciparum parasites in the blood associated with at least one symptom that can be associated to malaria over 35 days following DVI of PfSPZ Challenge. Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection was assessed by microscopy and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on stool, and Schistosoma infection was assessed by microscopy on urine. Participants were considered as infected if positive for any helminth either by PCR and/or microscopy at D0 and/or at D84 (Helm+) and were classified as mono-infection or co-infection. Total vaccine-specific IgG concentrations assessed on D84 were analysed as immunogenicity outcome. Main findings The helminth in mono-infection, particularly Schistosoma haematobium and STH were significantly associated with earlier malaria episodes following CHMI, while no association was found in case of coinfection. In further analyses, the anti-GMZ2 IgG concentration on D84 was significantly higher in the S. haematobium-infected and significantly lower in the Strongyloides stercoralis-infected groups, compared to helminth-negative volunteers. Interesting, in the absence of helminth infection, a high anti-GMZ2 IgG concentration on D84 was significantly associated with protection against malaria. Conclusions Our results suggest that helminth infection may reduce naturally acquired and vaccine-induced protection against malaria. Vaccine-specific antibody concentrations on D84 may be associated with protection in participants with no helminth infection. These results suggest that helminth infection affect malaria vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy in helminth endemic countries. Helminths, mainly because of their immune regulatory effects, are able to impact the response induced by vaccines. In the context of clinical trial designs that measure accrual of natural infections during follow up or outcome of controlled human malaria infection (CHMI), their effect on vaccine efficacy can be measured. Indeed, most of such clinical trials on malaria vaccine candidates conducted in Africa, especially where the prevalence of helminths is high, have shown a certain limit in their efficacy and immunogenicity, as compared to results observed in European and U.S volunteers. The present analysis assessed the effect of helminths on GMZ2, a malaria vaccine candidate. We found a high level of anti-GMZ2 antibodies among volunteers not infected with helminths and protected against CHMI, indicating efficacy of the candidate vaccine in this population. We found a species-dependent effect of helminths on the level of post-immunization GMZ2-specific IgG concentration, and an association of helminths with an early onset of malaria in CHMI. Our findings reveal that helminths are associated with immunogenicity and may decrease the protective effect of antibodies induced by vaccination. Helminth infection status shall be determined when measuring the immunogenicity and efficacy of malaria vaccine candidates in helminth endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odilon Nouatin
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Département de Biochimie et de Biologie Cellulaire, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin
| | | | - Jean Claude Dejon-Agobé
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rolf Fendel
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Javier Ibáñez
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Bayodé Roméo Adégbité
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique, Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Yabo Josiane Honkpéhédji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique, Cotonou, Bénin.,Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique, Cotonou, Bénin.,Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aurore Bouyoukou Hounkpatin
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kabirou Moutairou
- Département de Biochimie et de Biologie Cellulaire, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Andreas Homoet
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Meral Esen
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kreidenweiss
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Michael Theisen
- Department of Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adrian J F Luty
- Centre d'Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l'Enfance, Calavi, Bénin.,Université de Paris, MERIT, IRD, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Lell
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Department of Medicine I, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Selidji Todagbe Agnandji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I, Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Ramharter
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I, Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kremsner
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Mordmüller
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ayôla Akim Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique, Cotonou, Bénin.,Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
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Autier B, Gangneux JP, Robert-Gangneux F. Evaluation of the Allplex™ GI-Helminth(I) Assay, the first marketed multiplex PCR for helminth diagnosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:33. [PMID: 33812465 PMCID: PMC8019563 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2021034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Molecular biology has been gaining more importance in parasitology. Recently, a commercial multiplex PCR assay detecting helminths was marketed: the Allplex™ GI-Helminth(I) Assay. It targets Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris spp., Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis spp., Necator americanus, Strongyloides spp., Taenia spp. and Trichuris trichiura, but also the two most common microsporidia genera in human health, i.e. Enterocytozoon spp. and Encephalitozoon spp. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the Allplex™ GI-Helminth(I) Assay to classical diagnostic methods, based on a cohort of 110 stool samples positive for helminths (microscopy) or for microsporidia (PCR). Samples were stored at −80 °C until analysis by the Allplex™ GI-Helminth(I) Assay. False-negatives were re-tested with bead-beating pretreatment. Without mechanical lysis, concordance and agreement between microscopy and Allplex™ GI-Helminth(I) Assay ranged from 91% to 100% and from 0.15 to 1.00, respectively depending on the target. Concordance was perfect for Taenia spp. (n = 5) and microsporidia (n = 10). False-negative results were observed in 54% (6/13), 34% (4/11) and 20% (7/35) of cases, for hookworms, E. vermicularis and Strongyloides spp. detection, respectively. For these targets, pretreatment improved the results, but only slightly. Trichuris trichiura detection was critically low without pretreatment, as only 9% (1/11) of the samples were positive, but detection reached 91% (10/11) with bead-beating pretreatment. Mechanical lysis was also needed for Ascaris spp. and Hymenolepis spp. to reduce false-negative results from 1/8 to 1/21, respectively, to none for both. Overall, with an optimized extraction process, the Allplex™ GI-Helminth(I) Assay allows the detection of numerous parasites with roughly equivalent performance to that of microscopy, except for hookworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Autier
- Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), UMRS 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Gangneux
- Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), UMRS 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Florence Robert-Gangneux
- Université de Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement Travail), UMRS 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
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Hoffmann T, Hahn A, Verweij JJ, Leboulle G, Landt O, Strube C, Kann S, Dekker D, May J, Frickmann H, Loderstädt U. Differing Effects of Standard and Harsh Nucleic Acid Extraction Procedures on Diagnostic Helminth Real-Time PCRs Applied to Human Stool Samples. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020188. [PMID: 33572338 PMCID: PMC7916106 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess standard and harsher nucleic acid extraction schemes for diagnostic helminth real-time PCR approaches from stool samples. A standard procedure for nucleic acid extraction from stool and a procedure including bead-beating as well as proteinase K digestion were compared with group-, genus-, and species-specific real-time PCR assays targeting helminths and nonhelminth pathogens in human stool samples. From 25 different in-house and commercial helminth real-time PCR assays applied to 77 stool samples comprising 67 historic samples and 10 external quality assessment scheme samples positively tested for helminths, higher numbers of positive test results were observed after bead-beating-based nucleic acid extraction for 5/25 (20%) real-time PCR assays irrespective of specificity issues. Lower cycle threshold values were observed for one real-time PCR assay after the standard extraction scheme, and for four assays after the bead-beating-based scheme. Agreement between real-time PCR results after both nucleic acid extraction strategies according to Cohen’s kappa ranged from poor to almost perfect for the different assays. Varying agreement was observed in eight nonhelminth real-time PCR assays applied to 67 historic stool samples. The study indicates highly variable effects of harsh nucleic acid extraction approaches depending on the real-time PCR assay used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Hoffmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (T.H.); or (H.F.)
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth Tweesteden Hospital, 5042 AD Tilburg, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Olfert Landt
- TIB MOLBIOL, 12103 Berlin, Germany; (G.L.); (O.L.)
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Simone Kann
- Medical Mission Institute, 97074 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Denise Dekker
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (D.D.); (J.M.)
| | - Jürgen May
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (D.D.); (J.M.)
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany; (T.H.); or (H.F.)
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Ulrike Loderstädt
- Department of Hospital Hygiene & Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Devi A, Chiu YT, Hsueh HT, Lin TF. Quantitative PCR based detection system for cyanobacterial geosmin/2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) events in drinking water sources: Current status and challenges. Water Res 2021; 188:116478. [PMID: 33045635 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Taste and odor (T&O) are an important issue in drinking water, aquaculture, recreation and a few other associated industries, and cyanobacteria-relevant geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are the two most commonly detected T&O compounds worldwide. A rise in the cyanobacterial blooms and associated geosmin/2-MIB episodes due to anthropogenic activities as well as climate change has led to global concerns for drinking water quality. The increasing awareness for the safe drinking, aquaculture or recreational water systems has boost the demand for rapid, robust, on-site early detection and monitoring system for cyanobacterial geosmin/2-MIB events. In past years, research has indicated quantitative PCR (qPCR) as one of the promising tools for detection of geosmin/2-MIB episodes. It offers advantages of detecting the source organism even at very low concentrations, distinction of odor-producing cyanobacterial strains from non-producers and evaluation of odor producing potential of the cyanobacteria at much faster rates compared to conventional techniques.The present review aims at examining the current status of developed qPCR primers and probes in identifying and detecting the cyanobacterial blooms along with geosmin/2-MIB events. Among the more than 100 articles about cyanobacteria associated geosmin/2-MIB in drinking water systems published after 1990, limited reports (approx. 10 each for geosmin and 2-MIB) focused on qPCR detection and its application in the field. Based on the review of literature, a comprehensive open access global cyanobacterial geosmin/2-MIB events database (CyanoGM Explorer) is curated. It acts as a single platform to access updated information related to origin and geographical distribution of geosmin/2-MIB events, cyanobacterial producers, frequency, and techniques associated with the monitoring of the events. Although a total of 132 cyanobacterial strains from 21 genera and 72 cyanobacterial strains from 13 genera have been reported for geosmin and 2-MIB production, respectively, only 58 geosmin and 28 2-MIB synthesis regions have been assembled in the NCBI database. Based on the identity, geosmin sequences were found to be more diverse in the geosmin synthase conserved/primer design region, compared to 2-MIB synthesis region, hindering the design of universal primers/probes. Emerging technologies such as the bioelectronic nose, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), and nanopore sequencing are discussed for future applications in early on-site detection of geosmin/2-MIB and producers. In the end, the paper also highlights various challenges in applying qPCR as a universal system of monitoring and development of response system for geosmin/2-MIB episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apramita Devi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan ROC
| | - Yi-Ting Chiu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan ROC
| | - Hsin-Ta Hsueh
- Sustainable Environment Research Laboratories, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan ROC
| | - Tsair-Fuh Lin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan ROC.
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Keller L, Patel C, Welsche S, Schindler T, Hürlimann E, Keiser J. Performance of the Kato-Katz method and real time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the framework of a randomised controlled trial: treatment efficacy and day-to-day variation. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:517. [PMID: 33059756 PMCID: PMC7558729 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04401-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate, scalable and sensitive diagnostic tools are crucial in determining prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STH), assessing infection intensities and monitoring treatment efficacy. However, assessments on treatment efficacy comparing traditional microscopic to newly emerging molecular approaches such as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) are scarce and hampered partly by lack of an established diagnostic gold standard. METHODS We compared the performance of the copromicroscopic Kato-Katz method to qPCR in the framework of a randomized controlled trial on Pemba Island, Tanzania, evaluating treatment efficacy based on cure rates of albendazole monotherapy versus ivermectin-albendazole against Trichuris trichiura and concomitant STH infections. Day-to-day variability of both diagnostic methods was assessed to elucidate reproducibility of test results by analysing two stool samples before and two stool samples after treatment of 160 T. trichiura Kato-Katz positive participants, partially co-infected with Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm, per treatment arm (n = 320). As negative controls, two faecal samples of 180 Kato-Katz helminth negative participants were analysed. RESULTS Fair to moderate correlation between microscopic egg count and DNA copy number for the different STH species was observed at baseline and follow-up. Results indicated higher sensitivity of qPCR for all three STH species across all time points; however, we found lower test result reproducibility compared to Kato-Katz. When assessed with two samples from consecutive days by qPCR, cure rates were significantly lower for T. trichiura (23.2 vs 46.8%), A. lumbricoides (75.3 vs 100%) and hookworm (52.4 vs 78.3%) in the ivermectin-albendazole treatment arm, when compared to Kato-Katz. CONCLUSIONS qPCR diagnosis showed lower reproducibility of test results compared to Kato-Katz, hence multiple samples per participant should be analysed to achieve a reliable diagnosis of STH infection. Our study confirms that cure rates are overestimated using Kato-Katz alone. Our findings emphasize that standardized and accurate molecular diagnostic tools are urgently needed for future monitoring within STH control and/or elimination programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladina Keller
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chandni Patel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Welsche
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eveline Hürlimann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
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Abstract
Gastroenteritis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally and rapid identification of the causative pathogen is important for appropriate treatment and patient management, implementation of effective infection control measures, reducing hospital length of stay, and reducing overall medical costs. Although stool culture and microscopic examination of diarrheal stool has been the primary method for laboratory diagnosis, culture-independent proteomic and genomic tests are receiving increased attention. Antigen tests for stool pathogens are routinely implemented as rapid and simple analytics whereas molecular tests are now available in various formats from high complexity to waived point-of-care tests. In addition, metagenomic next-generation sequencing stands poised for use as a method for both diagnosis and routine characterization of the gut microbiome in the very near future. Analysis of host biomarkers as indicators of infection status and pathogenesis may also become important for prediction, diagnosis, and monitoring of gastrointestinal infection. Here we review current methods and emerging technologies for the etiologic diagnosis of gastroenteritis in the clinical laboratory. Benefits and limitations of these evolving methods are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | | | | | - Yi-Wei Tang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States; Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States; Cepheid, Danaher Diagnostic Platform, Shanghai, China.
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Aula OP, McManus DP, Weerakoon KG, Olveda R, Ross AG, Rogers MJ, Gordon CA. Molecular identification of Ancylostoma ceylanicum in the Philippines. Parasitology 2020; 147:1718-22. [PMID: 32829714 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020001547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Hookworms are some of the most widespread of the soil-transmitted helminths (STH) with an estimated 438.9 million people infected. Until relatively recently Ancylostoma ceylanicum was regarded as a rare cause of hookworm infection in humans, with little public health relevance. However, recent advances in molecular diagnostics have revealed a much higher prevalence of this zoonotic hookworm than previously thought, particularly in Asia. This study examined the prevalence of STH and A. ceylanicum in the municipalities of Palapag and Laoang in the Philippines utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on stool samples previously collected as part of a cross-sectional survey of schistosomiasis japonica. Prevalence of hookworm in humans was high with 52.8% (n = 228/432) individuals positive for any hookworm, 34.5% (n = 149/432) infected with Necator americanus, and 29.6% (n = 128/432) with Ancylostoma spp; of these, 34 were PCR-positive for A. ceylanicum. Considering dogs, 12 (n = 33) were PCR-positive for A. ceylanicum. This is the first study to utilize molecular diagnostics to identify A. ceylanicum in the Philippines with both humans and dogs infected. Control and elimination of this zoonotic hookworm will require a multifaceted approach including chemotherapy of humans, identification of animal reservoirs, improvements in health infrastructure, and health education to help prevent infection.
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Balachandra D, Ahmad H, Arifin N, Noordin R. Direct detection of Strongyloides infection via molecular and antigen detection methods. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 40:27-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03949-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Grembi JA, Mayer-Blackwell K, Luby SP, Spormann AM. High-Throughput Multiparallel Enteropathogen Detection via Nano-Liter qPCR. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:351. [PMID: 32766166 PMCID: PMC7381150 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative molecular diagnostic methods can effectively detect pathogen-specific nucleic acid sequences, but costs associated with multi-pathogen panels hinder their widespread use in research trials. Nano-liter qPCR (nL-qPCR) is a miniaturized tool for quantification of multiple targets in large numbers of samples based on assay parallelization on a single chip, with potentially significant cost-savings due to rapid throughput and reduced reagent volumes. We evaluated a suite of novel and published assays to detect 17 enteric pathogens using a commercially available nL-qPCR technology. Amplification efficiencies ranged from 88 to 98% (mean 91%) and were reproducible across four operators at two separate facilities. When applied to fecal material, assays were sensitive and selective (99.8% of DNA amplified were genes from the target organism). Due to nanofluidic volumes, detection limits were 1-2 orders of magnitude less sensitive for nL-qPCR than an enteric TaqMan Array Card (TAC). However, higher detection limits do not hinder detection of diarrhea-causing pathogen concentrations. Compared to TAC, nL-qPCR displayed 99% (95% CI 0.98, 0.99) negative percent agreement and 62% (95% CI 0.59, 0.65) overall positive percent agreement for presence of pathogens across diarrheal and non-diarrheal fecal samples. Positive percent agreement was 89% among samples with concentrations above the nL-qPCR detection limits. nL-qPCR assays showed an underestimation bias of 0.34 log10 copies/gram of stool [IQR -0.40, -0.28] compared with TAC. With 12 times higher throughput for a sixth of the per-sample cost of the enteric TAC, the nL-qPCR chip is a viable alternative for enteropathogen quantification for studies where other technologies are cost-prohibitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Grembi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Stephen P Luby
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Alfred M Spormann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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Köller T, Hahn A, Altangerel E, Verweij JJ, Landt O, Kann S, Dekker D, May J, Loderstädt U, Podbielski A, Frickmann H. Comparison of commercial and in-house real-time PCR platforms for 15 parasites and microsporidia in human stool samples without a gold standard. Acta Trop 2020; 207:105516. [PMID: 32371221 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A test comparison of in-house and commercial real-time PCR (qPCR) kits for the detection of human parasites and microsporidia in stool samples was conducted without a gold standard. Three different commercial kits were included in the comparison, with a range of 3-15 different PCR targets, while 14 targets were covered by in-house testing, so not all 16 target pathogens were covered by all assays. METHODS Residual materials from nucleic acid extractions of stool samples with very high likelihood of being colonized or infected by at least one enteric parasite species or microsporidia were tested. In all, 500 DNA samples were analyzed, but due to limited sample volume, only 250 of the 500 samples were tested per assay. Each sample was assessed with the qPCR platforms being compared and cycle threshold (Ct) values were included in a descriptive comparison. RESULTS Depending on the assay applied, qPCR detected per 250 tested samples Giardia duodenalis (184-205), Blastocystis spp. (174-183), Trichuris trichiura (118-120), Ascaris lumbricoides (79-96), Necator americanus (78-106), Hymenolepis nana (40-42), Cryptosporidium spp. (27-36), Dientamoeba fragilis (26-28), Schistosoma spp. (13-23), Enterobius vermicularis (8-14), Entamoeba histolytica (7-16), Strongyloides stercoralis (6-38), Cyclospora spp. (6-13), Taenia spp. (1-4), microsporidia (1-5), and Ancylostoma spp. (1-2). Inter-assay agreement kappa was almost perfect (0.81-1) for Dientamoeba fragilis, Hymenolepis nana, Cryptosporidium spp., and Ascaris lumbricoides, substantial (0.61-0.8) for Necator americanus, Blastocystis spp., Ancylostoma spp., Giardia duodenalis, Schistosoma spp., Trichuris trichiura, and Enterobius vermicularis, moderate (0.41-0.6) for Entamoeba histolytica, fair (0.21-0.4) for microsporidia, slight (0-0.2) for Cyclospora spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis, and poor (<0) for Taenia spp. CONCLUSIONS Varying inter-assay agreement makes interpretation of microsporidia and parasite PCR in stool samples challenging. Intra-assay agreement had been controlled during the developing of the assays. Future studies, e.g., with optimized nucleic acid procedures and including microscopically characterized samples, are advisable.
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Mbong Ngwese M, Prince Manouana G, Nguema Moure PA, Ramharter M, Esen M, Adégnika AA. Diagnostic Techniques of Soil-Transmitted Helminths: Impact on Control Measures. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E93. [PMID: 32516900 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are common in the tropical and subtropical countries. The burden of disease is highest in endemic areas with limited access to good quality water supply and poor sanitary conditions. Major approaches to control and reduce morbidity caused by worm infections include the periodic deworming of pre-school and school-aged children with anthelminthic drugs. Population-based studies and individual patient management including interventional studies can only be successful when accurate diagnostic techniques are used. The lack of appropriate diagnostic tools providing accurate results concerning both infectious status and intensity of infection—as these two factors vary in regions of low infection intensities—is a major challenge. Currently, available techniques show limited sensitivity and specificity and as such, a combination of several techniques is usually used to diagnose the large variety of parasite species. The objective of this review was to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different available techniques for the diagnosis of STH infections and to highlight their use in control programs.
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28
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Singer R, Xu TH, Herrera LNS, Villar MJ, Faust KM, Hotez PJ, Aiken ARA, Mejia R. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in a Low-Income Texas Community. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:1386-1395. [PMID: 32207401 PMCID: PMC7253135 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis affects an estimated hundreds of millions of people worldwide, with infection possibly persisting for life without appropriate therapy because of the helminth's unique autoinfection cycle. Like other soil-transmitted helminths, because of the environmental conditions required for the life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis, this parasite is endemic to tropical, subtropical, and temperate countries and areas with inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Given continued poverty and that nearly one in five American homes are lacking proper sanitation systems, many U.S. regions are at risk for intestinal parasites. A central Texas community was chosen as the study site, given previous reports of widespread sanitation failure, degree of poverty, and community willingness to participate. A total of 92 households were surveyed and residents tested for nine intestinal parasites using a multi-parallel quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA serology. From 43 stool samples, 27 (62.8%) tested positive for Blastocystis spp. and one (2.3%) for Giardia lamblia. From 97 serum samples, Strongyloides serology detected 16 (16.5%) positive individuals. These high rates of heterokont and helminthic laboratory findings in a peri-urban central Texas community suggest several key policy implications, including that strongyloidiasis should be added to the Texas notifiable conditions list, that clinical suspicion for this infection should be heightened in the region, and that residents without access to functioning and sustainable sanitation infrastructure should be provided that access as a basic human right and to promote public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Singer
- Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Teena Huan Xu
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lauren Nicholas S. Herrera
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria Jose Villar
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kasey M. Faust
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Abigail R. A. Aiken
- Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Rojelio Mejia
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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29
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Sweileh WM. A bibliometric analysis of human strongyloidiasis research (1968 to 2017). Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2019; 5:24. [PMID: 31890240 PMCID: PMC6921599 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-019-0100-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It is commonly associated with poverty and poor hygiene. Strongyloidiasis poses an unseen global public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess and analyze peer-reviewed literature on human strongyloidiasis to shed light on the evolution, volume, important topics, and key players in the field of human strongyloidiasis. Methods A validated bibliometric method was implemented using Scopus database for the study period from 1968 to 2017. The search strategy was developed based on keywords related to strongyloidiasis. Bibliometric indicators and visualization maps were presented. Results In total, 1947 documents were found. Retrieved documents received 32,382 citations, an average of approximately 16.6 per document, and an h-index of 76. The most frequently encountered keywords in the retrieved literature focused on hyperinfection, diagnosis, prevalence, and ivermectin. The USA led with 540 (27.7%) documents followed by Brazil (139; 7.1%) and Japan (137; 7.0%). When research output was standardized by income and population size, India ranked first (12.4 documents per GDP/capita) followed by the USA (9.1 documents per GDP/capita). The most active journal involved in publishing articles was the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (95; 4.8%). In terms of institutions, the University of Ryukyus (Japan) was the most active with 62 (3.2%) publications, followed by the University of Pennsylvania with 54 (2.8%) publications. Conclusion The volume, growth, and international research collaboration in human strongyloidiasis were inadequate given the long history of the disease, the large number of affected people, and the results obtained for other NTDs. Research in human strongyloidiasis needs to be strengthened and encouraged in endemic regions in Southeast Asia and Latin America. International research networking needs to be established to achieve the goals of Sustainable Development Goals in fighting and eradicating NTDs by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed M Sweileh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology/Toxicology, Division of Biomedical Sciences College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Ullah H, Qadeer A, Rashid M, Rashid MI, Cheng G. Recent advances in nucleic acid-based methods for detection of helminth infections and the perspective of biosensors for future development. Parasitology 2020; 147:383-92. [PMID: 31840627 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182019001665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic helminth infections are responsible for severe health problems and economic losses worldwide. Timely and accurate diagnosis of helminth infections is critical for adopting suitable strategies for pathogen control. Here, we review recent advances in nucleic acid-based diagnostic methods, including polymerase chain reaction, quantitative qPCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification and recombinase polymerase amplification, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages for diagnosing helminth infections. In addition, we highlight recent advances in biosensors for the detection of nucleic acid biomarkers that can potentially be used for the diagnosis of helminth infection.
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Abstract
Most of the 30 to 100 million people infected with Strongyloides stercoralis have subclinical (or asymptomatic) infections. These infections are commonly chronic and longstanding. A change in immune status can increase parasite numbers, leading to hyperinfection syndrome, dissemination, and death if unrecognized. The use of corticosteroids and HTLV-1 infection are most commonly associated with the hyperinfection syndrome. Strongyloides adult parasites reside in the small intestine and induce immune responses that are like other nematodes. Definitive diagnosis of S stercoralis infection is based on stool examinations for larvae. S stercoralis remains largely neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Krolewiecki
- Institute for Tropical Diseases Research, Universidad Nacional de Salta/CONICET, Alvarado 751, Oran 4530, Salta, Argentina
| | - Thomas B Nutman
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 4 - Room B1-03, 4 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0425, USA.
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Sanprasert V, Kerdkaew R, Srirungruang S, Charuchaibovorn S, Phadungsaksawasdi K, Nuchprayoon S. Development of Conventional Multiplex PCR: A Rapid Technique for Simultaneous Detection of Soil-Transmitted Helminths. Pathogens 2019; 8:E152. [PMID: 31527459 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8030152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are the most common intestinal parasites infecting humans worldwide. STH infections are a major cause of morbidity and disability. Accurate diagnostic tools are pivotal for assessing the exact prevalence of parasitic infections. Microscopic examination and culture techniques have been used to observe the presence of eggs or larvae of parasites in stool samples, but they are time-consuming and have low sensitivity. Therefore, accurate, simple, and inexpensive diagnostic techniques are still required for simultaneous detection of STH infections. Although molecular-based techniques, such as real-time PCR and multiplex real-time PCR, have been developed, they are not suitable for routine diagnosis due to the requirement for expensive reagents and instruments. In this study, we established a conventional multiplex PCR for simultaneous rapid detection of Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis in stool samples. Our results show that the multiplex PCR could detect the DNA of STHs at a very low target gene concentrations (lower than 1 pg) with no cross-amplification. Multiplex PCR had five times higher sensitivity than the formalin–ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) in the detection of multiple infections, and two times higher for detection of S. stercoralis. However, multiplex PCR was comparable to FECT in the detection of A. lumbricoides and N. americanus. In conclusion, this method could be used as an alternative method for the detection of STHs, especially for S. stercoralis.
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Bramstedt J, Becker JU, Wrede R, Schmiedel S, Riemer C, Back W. [Acute renal failure and rare severe complication of systemic steroid treatment in a 73-year-old woman]. Internist (Berl) 2019; 60:1201-8. [PMID: 31511906 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-019-00677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This article reports about a 73-year-old woman of Bosnian descent who presented with acute renal failure. A renal biopsy was diagnostic for a postinfect necrotizing and extracapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis. The patient reported a febrile infection fever 2 weeks previously. The diagnostics did not reveal any indications of an ongoing infection. The glomerulonephritis responded to treatment with systemic steroids. The patient was readmitted to hospital 6 weeeks later in a severely ill condition. A gastric biopsy revealed a Strongyloides stercoralis infestation. Due to the systemic steroid therapy the patient had developed a so-called hyperinfection syndrome and died despite treatment on the intensive care unit. This case illustrates the need for awareness of this rare parasitosis, particularly in patients from endemic areas. A likely causal relationship with the glomerulonephritis is discussed and an overview of the diagnostics, course of the disease and treatment of this parasitosis is given.
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Yang A, Bakhtari N, Langdon-Embry L, Redwood E, Grandjean Lapierre S, Rakotomanga P, Rafalimanantsoa A, De Dios Santos J, Vigan-Womas I, Knoblauch AM, Marcos LA. Kankanet: An artificial neural network-based object detection smartphone application and mobile microscope as a point-of-care diagnostic aid for soil-transmitted helminthiases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007577. [PMID: 31381573 PMCID: PMC6695198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endemic areas for soil-transmitted helminthiases often lack the tools and trained personnel necessary for point-of-care diagnosis. This study pilots the use of smartphone microscopy and an artificial neural network-based (ANN) object detection application named Kankanet to address those two needs. Methodology/Principal findings A smartphone was equipped with a USB Video Class (UVC) microscope attachment and Kankanet, which was trained to recognize eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm using a dataset of 2,078 images. It was evaluated for interpretive accuracy based on 185 new images. Fecal samples were processed using Kato-Katz (KK), spontaneous sedimentation technique in tube (SSTT), and Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde (MIF) techniques. UVC imaging and ANN interpretation of these slides was compared to parasitologist interpretation of standard microscopy.Relative to a gold standard defined as any positive result from parasitologist reading of KK, SSTT, and MIF preparations through standard microscopy, parasitologists reading UVC imaging of SSTT achieved a comparable sensitivity (82.9%) and specificity (97.1%) in A. lumbricoides to standard KK interpretation (97.0% sensitivity, 96.0% specificity). The UVC could not accurately image T. trichiura or hookworm. Though Kankanet interpretation was not quite as sensitive as parasitologist interpretation, it still achieved high sensitivity for A. lumbricoides and hookworm (69.6% and 71.4%, respectively). Kankanet showed high sensitivity for T. trichiura in microscope images (100.0%), but low in UVC images (50.0%). Conclusions/Significance The UVC achieved comparable sensitivity to standard microscopy with only A. lumbricoides. With further improvement of image resolution and magnification, UVC shows promise as a point-of-care imaging tool. In addition to smartphone microscopy, ANN-based object detection can be developed as a diagnostic aid. Though trained with a limited dataset, Kankanet accurately interprets both standard microscope and low-quality UVC images. Kankanet may achieve sensitivity comparable to parasitologists with continued expansion of the image database and improvement of machine learning technology. For rainforest-enshrouded rural villages of Madagascar, soil-transmitted helminthiases are more the rule than the exception. However, the microscopy equipment and lab technicians needed for diagnosis are a distance of several days’ hike away. We piloted a solution for these communities by leveraging resources the villages already had: a traveling team of local health care workers, and their personal Android smartphones. We demonstrated that an inexpensive, commercially available microscope attachment for smartphones could rival the sensitivity and specificity of a regular microscope using standard field fecal sample processing techniques. We also developed an artificial neural network-based object detection Android application, called Kankanet, based on open-source programming libraries. Kankanet was used to detect eggs of the three most common soil-transmitted helminths: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm. We found Kankanet to be moderately sensitive and highly specific for both standard microscope images and low-quality smartphone microscope images. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the diagnostic capabilities of artificial neural network-based object detection systems. Since the programming frameworks used were all open-source and user-friendly even for computer science laymen, artificial neural network-based object detection shows strong potential for development of low-cost, high-impact diagnostic aids essential to health care and field research in resource-limited communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Yang
- School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nahid Bakhtari
- School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Liana Langdon-Embry
- School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Emile Redwood
- School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Simon Grandjean Lapierre
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Immunopathology axis, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Mycobacteria Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | | | - Inès Vigan-Womas
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Astrid M. Knoblauch
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Mycobacteria Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luis A. Marcos
- Global Health Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, United States of America
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Ming DK, Armstrong M, Lowe P, Chiodini PL, Doherty JF, Whitty CJM, McGregor AC. Clinical and Diagnostic Features of 413 Patients Treated for Imported Strongyloidiasis at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019; 101:428-431. [PMID: 31219002 PMCID: PMC6685552 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This study describes the clinical features of a cohort of imported cases of strongyloidiasis and the performance of standard diagnostic techniques for this condition. A total of 413 cases were identified, of whom 86 had microscopically proven infection. In proven cases, 23% had normal eosinophil counts, 19% had negative Strongyloides-specific serology, and 9.3% had normal blood counts and were seronegative. Serological testing was less sensitive for returning travelers (46.2%) than for migrants (89.7%). Immunosuppression, including human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1, was significantly associated with proven infection after controlling for age, presence of symptoms, duration of infection, and eosinophilia (OR 5.60, 95% CI 1.54-20.4). Patients with proven infection had lower serology values than those diagnosed with strongyloidiasis on the basis of positive serology and eosinophilia alone (P = 0.016). Symptomatic patients were significantly younger, had a shorter presumed duration of infection, and lower serology values. These data suggest a correlation between immunologic control of strongyloidiasis and the amplitude of the humoral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien K. Ming
- Address correspondence to Damien K. Ming, The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Mortimer Market Centre, Capper St., London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom. E-mail:
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Bosqui LR, Marques PD, de Melo GB, Gonçalves-Pires MDRF, Malta FM, Pavanelli WR, Conchon-Costa I, Costa-Cruz JM, Paula FM, Costa IN. Molecular and Immnune Diagnosis: Further Testing for Human Strongyloidiasis. Mol Diagn Ther 2019; 22:485-491. [PMID: 29934882 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0340-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Detection of Strongyloides stercoralis larvae is particularly challenging because only a small number of larvae are released into the feces, regardless of infection stage. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to apply conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to the detection of S. stercoralis DNA in feces samples to evaluate its performance in samples of patients with strongyloidiasis and compare results with those of immunodiagnosis. METHODS Stool, serum, and saliva samples were collected from each individual (n = 48) at the clinic hospital of the State University of Londrina, Brazil, for parasitological, immunological, and molecular tests. Stool samples were processed via parasitological methods. Serum samples were used for immunoglobulin G (IgG) detection and saliva samples for IgA detection by ELISA. RESULTS For amplification by conventional PCR, two different primers were used: species specific (101 bp) and genus specific (392 bp). The results showed that 34 (97.1%) of the 35 copro-positive individuals for S. stercoralis were positive for serum IgG and 19 (54.3%) were positive for salivary IgA. Regarding molecular analysis, both primers (species and genus specific) demonstrated positivity in 100% of the samples, which was confirmed by sequencing the positive samples. CONCLUSION Complementary examinations of the parasitological method demonstrated excellent results in the context of the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis, especially in asymptomatic patients with irregular larval release in the feces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa R Bosqui
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, CCB, Laboratório de Parasitologia Experimental, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, CEP 86051-990, Brazil.
| | - Priscilla D Marques
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias - Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246903, Brazil
| | - Gessica B de Melo
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias - Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246903, Brazil
| | - Maria do Rosário F Gonçalves-Pires
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, MG, CEP 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Fernanda M Malta
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias - Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246903, Brazil
| | - Wander R Pavanelli
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, CCB, Laboratório de Parasitologia Experimental, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, CEP 86051-990, Brazil
| | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, CCB, Laboratório de Parasitologia Experimental, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, CEP 86051-990, Brazil
| | - Julia M Costa-Cruz
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, Uberlândia, MG, CEP 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Fabiana M Paula
- Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias - Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01246903, Brazil
| | - Idessania N Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, CCB, Laboratório de Parasitologia Experimental, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, CEP 86051-990, Brazil
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Reslova N, Huvarova V, Hrdy J, Kasny M, Kralik P. A novel perspective on MOL-PCR optimization and MAGPIX analysis of in-house multiplex foodborne pathogens detection assay. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2719. [PMID: 30804418 PMCID: PMC6389906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiplex oligonucleotide ligation-PCR (MOL-PCR) is a rapid method for simultaneous detection of multiple molecular markers within a single reaction. MOL-PCR is increasingly employed in microbial detection assays, where its ability to facilitate identification and further characterization via simple analysis is of great benefit and significantly simplifies routine diagnostics. When adapted to microsphere suspension arrays on a MAGPIX reader, MOL-PCR has the potential to outperform standard nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays. This study represents the guideline towards in-house MOL-PCR assay optimization using the example of foodborne pathogens (bacteria and parasites) with an emphasis on the appropriate choice of crucial parameters. The optimized protocol focused on specific sequence detection utilizes the fluorescent reporter BODIPY-TMRX and self-coupled magnetic microspheres and allows for a smooth and brisk workflow which should serve as a guide for the development of MOL-PCR assays intended for pathogen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikol Reslova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Food and Feed Safety, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Faculty of Science, Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Veronika Huvarova
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Food and Feed Safety, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hrdy
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Food and Feed Safety, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Department of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kasny
- Faculty of Science, Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kralik
- Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Food and Feed Safety, Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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Santos AKS, de Medeiros PHQS, Bona MD, Prata MMG, Amaral MSMG, Veras HN, Pankov RC, Ribeiro SA, Cavalcante PA, Freitas TM, Gondim RDG, de Oliveira DMN, Melo NKFM, Havt A, Lima AAM. Virulence-Related Genes and Coenteropathogens Associated with Clinical Outcomes of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Infections in Children from the Brazilian Semiarid Region: a Case-Control Study of Diarrhea. J Clin Microbiol 2019; 57:e01777-18. [PMID: 30728193 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.01777-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major cause of diarrhea in children from developing countries and presents high genetic variability. We aimed to characterize the EPEC virulence-related gene (VRG) distribution and copathogens associated with diarrhea and nutrition-related outcomes in children from the low-income Brazilian semiarid region. A cross-sectional case-control study of diarrhea was conducted in 1,191 children aged 2 to 36 months from the northeast region of Brazil. Stool samples were collected and clinical, epidemiological, and anthropometric data were identified from each child. A broad molecular evaluation of enteropathogens was performed, and EPEC-positive samples were further investigated for 18 VRGs using five multiplex PCRs. EPEC was detected in 28.2% of the study population, with similar proportions among cases and controls. Typical EPEC (tEPEC) infections were more often associated with diarrhea than atypical EPEC (aEPEC) infections, while aEPEC infections presented a higher prevalence. The VRG ler, a negative regulator of the locus of enterocyte effacement, was associated with the absence of diarrhea in aEPEC-positive children; espB, a major component of the type 3 secretion system, was associated with diarrhea in tEPEC-positive children; the presence of procolonization VRGs-the combination of cesT positivity, espP negativity, and the presence of the map gene-was associated with undernutrition; and Campylobacter spp., norovirus, and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) coinfections were associated with increased clinical severity in EPEC-infected children. These data identified tEPEC strains associated with diarrhea and specific VRGs of EPEC (ler, espB, cesT, and map genes) and Campylobacter spp., norovirus, and EAEC to be major contributors to diarrhea and undernutrition in children from a low-income Brazilian region.
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Abstract
Amphistomes, commonly referred to as 'stomach' or 'rumen' flukes because of the localization of these flukes in the stomach of ruminants, are digenetic trematodes distinguished by the absence of an oral sucker and the position of the ventral sucker or acetabulum at the posterior end of the body. The body is characterized by leaf-like fleshy structure, pink or red in colour with a large posterior sucker. Amphistomes are an important group of parasites since they cause 'amphistomiasis' (variously known as paramphistomosis/amphistomosis), a serious disease of great economic importance in ruminants worldwide. These parasites have a broad spectrum of definitive hosts together with a wide geographical distribution. Though, they form a continuous evolutional lineage from fishes to mammals, amphistomes mainly inhabit the rumen and reticulum of ruminant mammals, while some species occur in the large intestine or parenteric sites of ruminants, pigs, equines and man.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bishnupada Roy
- Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | | | - Sudeep Ghatani
- Department of Zoology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
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Mutombo PN, Man NWY, Nejsum P, Ricketson R, Gordon CA, Robertson G, Clements ACA, Chacón-Fonseca N, Nissapatorn V, Webster JP, McLaws ML. Diagnosis and drug resistance of human soil-transmitted helminth infections: A public health perspective. Adv Parasitol 2019; 104:247-326. [PMID: 31030770 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections represent a major public health problem globally, particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged populations. Detection of STH infections is often challenging, requiring a combination of diagnostic techniques to achieve acceptable sensitivity and specificity, particularly in low infection-intensity situations. The microscopy-based Kato-Katz remains the most widely used method but has low sensitivity in the detection of, for instance, Strongyloides spp. infections, among others. Antigen/antibody assays can be more sensitive but are parasite species-specific. Highly sensitive PCR methods have been developed to be multiplexed to allow multi-species detection. Novel diagnostic tests for all STH species are needed for effective monitoring, evaluation of chemotherapy programmes, and to assess the potential emergence of parasite resistance. This review discusses available diagnostic methods for the different stages of STH control programmes, which vary in sensitivity and spectrum of detection requirements, and tools to evaluate drug efficacy and resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polydor Ngoy Mutombo
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nicola W Y Man
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Robert Ricketson
- Hale O'mana'o Biomedical Research, Division of Emerging Pathogens, Edmond, OK, United States
| | - Catherine A Gordon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gemma Robertson
- Public and Environmental Health, Forensic and Scientific Services, Department of Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Nathalie Chacón-Fonseca
- Soil-Transmitted Helminths Section, Tropical Medicine Institute, Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand; Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED), Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary-Louise McLaws
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Gondim RDG, Pankov RC, Prata MMG, Medeiros PHQS, Veras HN, Santos AKS, Magalhães LMC, Havt A, Fumian TM, Miagostovich MP, Leite JPG, Lima AAM. Genetic Diversity of Norovirus Infections, Coinfections, and Undernutrition in Children From Brazilian Semiarid Region. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018; 67:e117-22. [PMID: 29985875 DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Norovirus (NoV) infections are known to have high-morbidity and mortality rates and are a major health problem globally. The impact of NoV on child development is, however, poorly understood. We evaluated the distribution of NoV genotypes in children from a low-income Brazilian semiarid region, in relation with their clinical symptoms, nutritional status, and co-pathogens. METHODS The test population included children aged 2 to 36 months from 6 cities of the Brazilian semiarid region. Fecal samples were collected from each child, along with the information regarding their socioeconomic/clinical conditions using a standardized questionnaire. Detection and quantification of NoV were performed by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, followed by molecular and phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS The NoV detection rate was 45.2%. Presence of NoV was associated with lower z scores for weight-for-age (P = 0.03), weight-for-height (P = 0.03), and body mass index-for-age (P = 0.03). NoV infection was associated with more frequent respiratory illnesses (P < 0.01). GII.P7 (polymerase) and GII.3 (capsid) were the most frequent NoV genotypes. Analysis of the open reading frame (ORF)1-2 junction identified recombinant NoV strains in 80% of the sequenced samples. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli coinfection was the major predictor for diarrhea in NoV-positive samples (P < 0.02). Moreover, Shigella spp was also associated with NoV-positive diagnosis (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the genetic variability of NoV and, associated co-infections and undernutrition in infants from low-income Brazilian semiarid region.
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Winnicki W, Eder M, Mazal P, Mayer FJ, Sengölge G, Wagner L. Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection and hyperinfection syndrome among renal allograft recipients in Central Europe. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15406. [PMID: 30337607 PMCID: PMC6194009 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33775-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Strongyloides stercoralis is not hyperendemic in European countries but has been increasing in prevalence due to migration and travel. The infection is characterized by a mostly asymptomatic course or nonspecific symptoms in healthy subjects. However, immunosuppression or chemotherapy have been described as leading triggers for Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome and may have a fatal course. A post hoc analysis was performed among renal transplant patients during a 5-year period. Plasma samples of two hundred kidney allograft recipients were retrospectively analyzed for Strongyloides stercoralis seropositivity by established ELISA testing. Positive Strongyloides stercoralis serology was found in 3% of allograft recipients. One patient developed a life-threatening hyperinfection syndrome. His Strongyloides IgG signal had been elevated for years before the outbreak of the disease. Stronglyoides infections in transplant recipients are an important issue that physicians also in Central Europe should be aware of, given the risk of hyperinfection syndrome and the challenges in clinical diagnosis. Our study suggests that recipient and donor screening should be recommended in kidney transplantation programs in Central Europe as Strongyloides infection rates increase and its prevalence may be underestimated. Further research is needed to understand why some Strongyloides stercoralis seropositive individuals develop hyperinfection syndrome and others do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Winnicki
- Department of Internal Medicine III; Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Michael Eder
- Department of Internal Medicine III; Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Mazal
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian J Mayer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gürkan Sengölge
- Department of Internal Medicine III; Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ludwig Wagner
- Department of Internal Medicine III; Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Castellanos-Gonzalez A, White A, Melby P, Travi B. Molecular diagnosis of protozoan parasites by Recombinase Polymerase Amplification. Acta Trop 2018; 182:4-11. [PMID: 29452112 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Infections caused by protozoan parasites affect millions of people around the world. Traditionally, diagnosis was made by microscopy, which is insensitive and in some cases not specific. Molecular methods are highly sensitive and specific, but equipment costs and personnel training limit its availability only to specialized centers, usually far from populations with the highest risk of infection. Inexpensive methods that can be applied at the point of care (POC), especially in places with limited health infrastructure, would be a major advantage. Isothermal amplification of nucleic acids does not require thermocyclers and is relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. Among isothermal methods, recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is sensitive and potentially applicable at POC. We and others have developed RPA diagnostic tests to detect protozoan parasites of medical importance. Overall, our results have shown high specificity with limits of detection similar to PCR. Currently, the optimization of RPA for use at the POC is under development, and in the near future the tests should become available to detect protozoan infections in the field. In this review we discuss the current status, challenges, and future of RPA in the field of molecular diagnosis of protozoan parasites.
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Momčilović S, Cantacessi C, Arsić-Arsenijević V, Otranto D, Tasić-Otašević S. Rapid diagnosis of parasitic diseases: current scenario and future needs. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 25:290-309. [PMID: 29730224 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitic diseases are one of the world's most devastating and prevalent infections, causing millions of morbidities and mortalities annually. In the past, many of these infections have been linked predominantly to tropical or subtropical areas. Nowadays, however, climatic and vector ecology changes, a significant increase in international travel, armed conflicts, and migration of humans and animals have influenced the transmission of some parasitic diseases from 'book pages' to reality in developed countries. It has also been noted that many patients who have never travelled to endemic areas suffer from blood-borne infections caused by protozoa. In the light of existing knowledge, this new trend can be explained by the fact that in the process of migration a large number of asymptomatic carriers become a part of the blood bank donor and transplant donor populations. Accurate and rapid diagnosis represents the crucial weapon in the fight against parasitic infections. AIMS To review old and new approaches for rapid diagnosis of parasitic infections. SOURCES Data for this review were obtained through searches of PubMed using combinations of the following terms: parasitological diagnostics, microscopy, lateral flow assays, immunochromatographic assays, multiplex-PCR, and transplantation. CONTENT In this review, we provide a brief account of the advantages and limitations of rapid methods for diagnosis of parasitic diseases and focus our attention on current and future research in this area. The approximate costs associated with the use of different techniques and their applicability in endemic and non-endemic areas are also discussed. IMPLICATIONS Microscopy remains the cornerstone of parasitological diagnostics, especially in the field and low-resource settings, and provides epidemiological assessment of parasite burden. However, increased use and availability of point-of-care tests and molecular assays in modern era allow more rapid and accurate diagnoses and increased sensitivity in the identification of parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Momčilović
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Serbia.
| | - C Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - V Arsić-Arsenijević
- Department for Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - D Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Italy
| | - S Tasić-Otašević
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Serbia; Center of Microbiology and Parasitology, Public Health Institute Niš, Serbia
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Santarelli GA, Migliorati G, Pomilio F, Marfoglia C, Centorame P, D'agostino A, D'aurelio R, Scarpone R, Battistelli N, Di Simone F, Aprea G, Iannetti L. Assessment of pesticide residues and microbial contamination in raw leafy green vegetables marketed in Italy. Food Control 2018; 85:350-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Cunningham LJ, Odoom J, Pratt D, Boatemaa L, Asante-Ntim N, Attiku K, Banahene B, Osei-Atweneboana M, Verweij JJ, Molyneux D, Stothard RJ, Adams ER. Expanding molecular diagnostics of helminthiasis: Piloting use of the GPLN platform for surveillance of soil transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis in Ghana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006129. [PMID: 29370166 PMCID: PMC5784883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The efforts to control and eradicate polio as a global health burden have been successful to the point where currently only three countries now report endemic polio, and the number of cases of polio continues to decrease. The success of the polio programme has been dependant on a well-developed network of laboratories termed the global polio laboratory network (GPLN). Here we explore collaborative opportunities with the GPLN to target two of the 18 diseases listed as a neglected tropical diseases (NTD) namely soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH). These were chosen based on prevalence and the use of faecal materials to identify both polio, STH and SCH. Our study screened 448 faecal samples from the Ghana GPLN using three triplex TaqMan assays to identify Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma spp, Trichuris trchiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp. Our results found a combined helminth prevalence of 22%. The most common helminth infection was A. lumbricoides with a prevalence of 15% followed by N. americanus (5%), Ancylostoma spp. (2.5%), Schistosoma spp. (1.6%) and S. stercoralis (1%). These results show that it is possible to identify alternative pathogens to polio in the samples collected by the GPLN platform and to introduce new diagnostic assays to their laboratories. The diagnostic methods employed were also able to identify S. stercoralis positive samples, which are difficult to identify using parasitological methods such as Kato-Katz. This study raises the possibility of collaboration with the GPLN for the surveillance of a wider range of diseases which would both benefit the efforts to control the NTDs and also increase the scope of the GPLN as a diagnostic platform. The successful campaign being waged against polio has eliminated the disease from most countries where it was once endemic. With this success, it is anticipated that the disease will be eradicated in the coming years with only 37 cases being reported in 2016. Although the efforts to control polio are successful there are a number of low-profile, but no less serious disease, that are still highly prevalent throughout the world. These diseases have been termed the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and this study aims to test the suitability of the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) as a platform to screen for two of the NTDs, soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis (SCH). To test the suitability of the samples collected by the GPLN and the suitability of the laboratories themselves 448 samples from the Ghanaian GPLN laboratory were screened with multiplex TaqMan assays for the following six helminth types: Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma spp, Trichuris trchiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp. Using this method this study was able to identify a prevalence of 22% for the combined helminth infection. The most common infection was A. lumbricoides with a prevalence of 15% followed by N. americanus (5%), Ancylostoma spp. (2.5%), Schistosoma spp. (1.6%) and S. stercoralis (1%). The success of this study indicates that this may be a cost-effective method to passively screen a country for STH and SCH and its success in identifying S. stercoralis infections makes it especially useful as this parasite is hard to identify using traditional surveillance techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J. Cunningham
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - John Odoom
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linda Boatemaa
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nana Asante-Ntim
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Keren Attiku
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bismarck Banahene
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mike Osei-Atweneboana
- Department of Environmental Biology and Health, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - David Molyneux
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Russell J. Stothard
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Emily R. Adams
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Garcia LS, Arrowood M, Kokoskin E, Paltridge GP, Pillai DR, Procop GW, Ryan N, Shimizu RY, Visvesvara G. Practical Guidance for Clinical Microbiology Laboratories: Laboratory Diagnosis of Parasites from the Gastrointestinal Tract. Clin Microbiol Rev 2018; 31:e00025-17. [PMID: 29142079 PMCID: PMC5740970 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00025-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This Practical Guidance for Clinical Microbiology document on the laboratory diagnosis of parasites from the gastrointestinal tract provides practical information for the recovery and identification of relevant human parasites. The document is based on a comprehensive literature review and expert consensus on relevant diagnostic methods. However, it does not include didactic information on human parasite life cycles, organism morphology, clinical disease, pathogenesis, treatment, or epidemiology and prevention. As greater emphasis is placed on neglected tropical diseases, it becomes highly probable that patients with gastrointestinal parasitic infections will become more widely recognized in areas where parasites are endemic and not endemic. Generally, these methods are nonautomated and require extensive bench experience for accurate performance and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Arrowood
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Evelyne Kokoskin
- Public Health Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Laboratories-Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Dylan R Pillai
- Calgary Laboratory Services, Diagnostic and Scientific Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gary W Procop
- Enterprise Test Utilization and Pathology Consultative Services, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Molecular Microbiology, Parasitology, and Mycology Laboratories, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Norbert Ryan
- Bacteriology and Parasitology, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Peter Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Govinda Visvesvara
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Mationg MLS, Gordon CA, Tallo VL, Olveda RM, Alday PP, Reñosa MDC, Bieri FA, Williams GM, Clements ACA, Steinmann P, Halton K, Li Y, McManus DP, Gray DJ. Status of soil-transmitted helminth infections in schoolchildren in Laguna Province, the Philippines: Determined by parasitological and molecular diagnostic techniques. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006022. [PMID: 29108026 PMCID: PMC5703569 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are the most common parasitic infections in impoverished communities, particularly among children. Current STH control is through school-based mass drug administration (MDA), which in the Philippines is done twice annually. As expected, MDA has decreased the intensity and prevalence of STH over time. As a result, the common Kato Katz (KK) thick smear method of detecting STH is less effective because it lacks sensitivity in low intensity infections, making it difficult to measure the impact of deworming programs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A cross-sectional study was carried out over a four-week period from October 27, 2014 until November 20, 2014 in Laguna province, the Philippines. Stool samples were collected from 263 schoolchildren, to determine the prevalence of STH and compare diagnostic accuracy of multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with the KK. A large discrepancy in the prevalence between the two techniques was noted for the detection of at least one type of STH infection (33.8% by KK vs. 78.3% by qPCR), Ascaris lumbricoides (20.5% by KK vs. 60.8% by qPCR) and Trichuris trichiura (23.6% by KK vs. 38.8% by qPCR). Considering the combined results of both methods, the prevalence of at least one type of helminth infection, A. lumbricoides, and T. trichiura were 83.3%, 67.7%, and 53.6%, respectively. Sensitivity of the qPCR for detecting at least one type of STH infection, A. lumbricoides, and T. trichiura were 94.1%, 89.9%, and 72.3% respectively; whereas KK sensitivity was 40.6%, 30.3%, and 44.0%, respectively. The qPCR method also detected infections with Ancylostoma spp. (4.6%), Necator americanus (2.3%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.8%) that were missed by KK. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE qPCR may provide new and important diagnostic information to improve assessment of the effectiveness and impact of integrated control strategies particularly in areas where large-scale STH control has led to low prevalence and/or intensity of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lorraine S. Mationg
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Catherine A. Gordon
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Veronica L. Tallo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Remigio M. Olveda
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Portia P. Alday
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Mark Donald C. Reñosa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Franziska A. Bieri
- Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Gail M. Williams
- Discipline of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Archie C. A. Clements
- Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Peter Steinmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel Switzerland
| | - Kate Halton
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yuesheng Li
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Control on Schistosomiasis in Lake Region, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail: (DJG); (DPM)
| | - Darren J. Gray
- Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- * E-mail: (DJG); (DPM)
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Leow CH, Fischer K, Leow CY, Cheng Q, Chuah C, McCarthy J. Single Domain Antibodies as New Biomarker Detectors. Diagnostics (Basel) 2017; 7:diagnostics7040052. [PMID: 29039819 PMCID: PMC5745390 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics7040052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are defined as indicators of biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. Biomarkers have been widely used for early detection, prediction of response after treatment, and for monitoring the progression of diseases. Antibodies represent promising tools for recognition of biomarkers, and are widely deployed as analytical tools in clinical settings. For immunodiagnostics, antibodies are now exploited as binders for antigens of interest across a range of platforms. More recently, the discovery of antibody surface display and combinatorial chemistry techniques has allowed the exploration of new binders from a range of animals, for instance variable domains of new antigen receptors (VNAR) from shark and variable heavy chain domains (VHH) or nanobodies from camelids. These single domain antibodies (sdAbs) have some advantages over conventional murine immunoglobulin owing to the lack of a light chain, making them the smallest natural biomarker binders thus far identified. In this review, we will discuss several biomarkers used as a means to validate diseases progress. The potential functionality of modern singe domain antigen binders derived from phylogenetically early animals as new biomarker detectors for current diagnostic and research platforms development will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiuan Herng Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia.
| | - Katja Fischer
- Bacterial Pathogenesis and Scabies Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, Australia.
| | - Chiuan Yee Leow
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia.
| | - Qin Cheng
- Department of Drug Resistance and Diagnostics, Australian Army Malaria Institute, Brisbane 4051, Australia.
| | - Candy Chuah
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia.
| | - James McCarthy
- Clinical Tropical Medicine Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia.
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Huggins LG, Michaels CJ, Cruickshank SM, Preziosi RF, Else KJ. A novel copro-diagnostic molecular method for qualitative detection and identification of parasitic nematodes in amphibians and reptiles. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185151. [PMID: 28934299 PMCID: PMC5608329 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance via resource acquisition, habitat fragmentation and climate change, amongst other factors, has led to catastrophic global biodiversity losses and species extinctions at an accelerating rate. Amphibians are currently one of the worst affected classes with at least a third of species categorised as being threatened with extinction. At the same time, they are also critically important for many habitats and provide man with a powerful proxy for ecosystem health by acting as a bioindicator group. Whilst the causes of synchronised amphibian losses are varied recent research has begun to highlight a growing role that macroparasites are playing in amphibian declines. However, diagnosing parasite infection in the field can be problematic, principally relying on collection and euthanasia of hosts, followed by necropsy and morphological identification of parasites in situ. The current study developed a non-invasive PCR-based methodology for sensitive detection and identification of parasitic nematode DNA released in the faeces of infected amphibians as egg or tissue fragments (environmental DNA). A DNA extraction protocol optimised for liberation of DNA from resilient parasite eggs was developed alongside the design of a novel, nematode universal, degenerate primer pair, thus avoiding the difficulties of using species specific primers in situations where common parasite species are unknown. Used in conjunction this protocol and primer pair was tested on a wide range of faecal samples from captive and wild amphibians. The primers and protocol were validated and detected infections, including a Railletnema nematode infection in poison dart frogs from ZSL London Zoo and Mantella cowani frogs in the wild. Furthermore, we demonstrate the efficacy of our PCR-based protocol for detecting nematode infection in other hosts, such as the presence of pinworm (Aspiculuris) in two tortoise species and whipworm (Trichuris muris) in mice. Our environmental DNA approach mitigates problems associated with microscopic identification and can be applied to detect nematode parasitoses in wild and captive hosts for infection surveillance and maintenance of healthy populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G. Huggins
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, MAHSC, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Sheena M. Cruickshank
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, MAHSC, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Richard F. Preziosi
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J. Else
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, MAHSC, Manchester, United Kingdom
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