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Oyibo P, Agbana T, van Lieshout L, Oyibo W, Diehl JC, Vdovine G. An automated slide scanning system for membrane filter imaging in diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis. J Microsc 2024; 294:52-61. [PMID: 38291833 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13269] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, automated slide scanning involves capturing a rectangular grid of field-of-view (FoV) images which can be stitched together to create whole slide images, while the autofocusing algorithm captures a focal stack of images to determine the best in-focus image. However, these methods can be time-consuming due to the need for X-, Y- and Z-axis movements of the digital microscope while capturing multiple FoV images. In this paper, we propose a solution to minimise these redundancies by presenting an optimal procedure for automated slide scanning of circular membrane filters on a glass slide. We achieve this by following an optimal path in the sample plane, ensuring that only FoVs overlapping the filter membrane are captured. To capture the best in-focus FoV image, we utilise a hill-climbing approach that tracks the peak of the mean of Gaussian gradient of the captured FoVs images along the Z-axis. We implemented this procedure to optimise the efficiency of the Schistoscope, an automated digital microscope developed to diagnose urogenital schistosomiasis by imaging Schistosoma haematobium eggs on 13 or 25 mm membrane filters. Our improved method reduces the automated slide scanning time by 63.18% and 72.52% for the respective filter sizes. This advancement greatly supports the practicality of the Schistoscope in large-scale schistosomiasis monitoring and evaluation programs in endemic regions. This will save time, resources and also accelerate generation of data that is critical in achieving the targets for schistosomiasis elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper Oyibo
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Tope Agbana
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wellington Oyibo
- Centre for Transdisciplinary Research for Malaria & Neglected Tropical Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Jan-Carel Diehl
- Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Gleb Vdovine
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
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Tamarozzi F, Mazzi C, Antinori S, Arsuaga M, Becker SL, Bottieau E, Camprubi-Ferrer D, Caumes E, Duvignaud A, Grobusch MP, Jaureguiberry S, Jordan S, Mueller A, Neumayr A, Perez-Molina JA, Salas-Coronas J, Salvador F, Tomasoni LR, van Hellemond JJ, Vaughan SD, Wammes LJ, Zammarchi L, Buonfrate D, Huits R, van Lieshout L, Gobbi F. Consensus definitions in imported human schistosomiasis: a GeoSentinel and TropNet Delphi study. Lancet Infect Dis 2024:S1473-3099(24)00080-X. [PMID: 38467128 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(24)00080-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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Terminology in schistosomiasis is not harmonised, generating misunderstanding in data interpretation and clinical descriptions. This study aimed to achieve consensus on definitions of clinical aspects of schistosomiasis in migrants and returning travellers. We applied the Delphi method. Experts from institutions affiliated with GeoSentinel and TropNet, identified through clinical and scientific criteria, were invited to participate. Five external reviewers revised and pilot-tested the statements. Statements focusing on the definitions of acute or chronic; possible, probable, or confirmed; active; and complicated schistosomiasis were managed through REDCap and replies managed in a blinded manner. Round 1 mapped the definitions used by experts; subsequent rounds were done to reach consensus, or quantify disagreement, on the proposed statements. Data were analysed with percentages, medians, and IQRs of a 5-point Likert scale. The study was terminated on the basis of consensus or stability-related and time-related criteria. 28 clinicians and scientists met the criteria for experts. 25 (89%) of 28 experts replied to Round 1, 18 (64%) of 28 to Round 2, 19 (68%) of 28 to Round 3, and 21 (75%) of 28 to at least two rounds. High-level consensus (79-100% agreement and IQRs ≤1) was reached for all definitions. Consensus definitions will foster harmonised scientific and clinical communication and support future research and development of management guidelines for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy.
| | - Cristina Mazzi
- Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Spinello Antinori
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Arsuaga
- National Referral for Imported Diseases Unit, Hospital La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sören L Becker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Eric Caumes
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Duvignaud
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, INSERM UMR 1219, IRD EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre, Bordeaux, France
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stephane Jaureguiberry
- Université de Paris Saclay, AP-HP, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Paris, France
| | - Sabine Jordan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mueller
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Klinikum Würzburg Mitte (Medical Mission Hospital), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Neumayr
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jose A Perez-Molina
- National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin Salas-Coronas
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Tropical Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario Poniente, El Ejido, Almería, Spain; Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; International Health Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lina R Tomasoni
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stephen D Vaughan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Linda J Wammes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Ralph Huits
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Boonstra MB, Koelewijn R, Brienen EAT, Tassche-Borggreve K, Kortbeek LM, Mank TG, Mulder B, Stelma F, van Lieshout L, van Hellemond JJ. Identification of gaps in the performance of routine microscopy for the diagnosis of parasitic infections revealed by the Dutch laboratory quality assessment scheme. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024:S1198-743X(24)00093-4. [PMID: 38402953 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Marrit B Boonstra
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Koelewijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Tassche-Borggreve
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health (LabMicTA), Hengelo, The Netherlands
| | - Laetitia M Kortbeek
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Theo G Mank
- Regional Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Haarlem, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Mulder
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Foekje Stelma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Meulah B, Oyibo P, Hoekstra PT, Moure PAN, Maloum MN, Laclong-Lontchi RA, Honkpehedji YJ, Bengtson M, Hokke C, Corstjens PLAM, Agbana T, Diehl JC, Adegnika AA, van Lieshout L. Validation of artificial intelligence-based digital microscopy for automated detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine in Gabon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011967. [PMID: 38394298 PMCID: PMC10917302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schistosomiasis is a significant public health concern, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Conventional microscopy is the standard diagnostic method in resource-limited settings, but with limitations, such as the need for expert microscopists. An automated digital microscope with artificial intelligence (Schistoscope), offers a potential solution. This field study aimed to validate the diagnostic performance of the Schistoscope for detecting and quantifying Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine compared to conventional microscopy and to a composite reference standard (CRS) consisting of real-time PCR and the up-converting particle (UCP) lateral flow (LF) test for the detection of schistosome circulating anodic antigen (CAA). METHODS Based on a non-inferiority concept, the Schistoscope was evaluated in two parts: study A, consisting of 339 freshly collected urine samples and study B, consisting of 798 fresh urine samples that were also banked as slides for analysis with the Schistoscope. In both studies, the Schistoscope, conventional microscopy, real-time PCR and UCP-LF CAA were performed and samples with all the diagnostic test results were included in the analysis. All diagnostic procedures were performed in a laboratory located in a rural area of Gabon, endemic for S. haematobium. RESULTS In study A and B, the Schistoscope demonstrated a sensitivity of 83.1% and 96.3% compared to conventional microscopy, and 62.9% and 78.0% compared to the CRS. The sensitivity of conventional microscopy in study A and B compared to the CRS was 61.9% and 75.2%, respectively, comparable to the Schistoscope. The specificity of the Schistoscope in study A (78.8%) was significantly lower than that of conventional microscopy (96.4%) based on the CRS but comparable in study B (90.9% and 98.0%, respectively). CONCLUSION Overall, the performance of the Schistoscope was non-inferior to conventional microscopy with a comparable sensitivity, although the specificity varied. The Schistoscope shows promising diagnostic accuracy, particularly for samples with moderate to higher infection intensities as well as for banked sample slides, highlighting the potential for retrospective analysis in resource-limited settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04505046 ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Meulah
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Prosper Oyibo
- Mechanical, Maritime and Material Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Pytsje T. Hoekstra
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Alvyn Nguema Moure
- Centre de Recherches Médicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Ecole doctorale régionale d’Afrique centrale en infectiologie tropicale de Franceville, Gabon
| | | | | | - Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Michel Bengtson
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Hokke
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Temitope Agbana
- Mechanical, Maritime and Material Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Carel Diehl
- Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Ayola Akim Adegnika
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Médicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Ecole doctorale régionale d’Afrique centrale en infectiologie tropicale de Franceville, Gabon
- Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique, Cotonou, Benin
- Institut fur Tropenmedizin, Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases (LUCID), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Al-Jawabreh R, Anderson R, Atkinson LE, Bickford-Smith J, Bradbury RS, Breloer M, Bryant AS, Buonfrate D, Cadd LC, Crooks B, Deiana M, Grant W, Hallem E, Hedtke SM, Hunt V, Khieu V, Kikuchi T, Kounosu A, Lastik D, van Lieshout L, Liu Y, McSorley HJ, McVeigh P, Mousley A, Murcott B, Nevin WD, Nosková E, Pomari E, Reynolds K, Ross K, Streit A, Suleiman M, Tiberti N, Viney M. Strongyloides questions-a research agenda for the future. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230004. [PMID: 38008122 PMCID: PMC10676812 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0004] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Strongyloides genus of parasitic nematodes have a fascinating life cycle and biology, but are also important pathogens of people and a World Health Organization-defined neglected tropical disease. Here, a community of Strongyloides researchers have posed thirteen major questions about Strongyloides biology and infection that sets a Strongyloides research agenda for the future. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roy Anderson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
| | - Louise E. Atkinson
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | | | | | - Minka Breloer
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg 20359, Germany
| | - Astra S. Bryant
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Luke C. Cadd
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Bethany Crooks
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Michela Deiana
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Warwick Grant
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Elissa Hallem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90095, USA
| | - Shannon M. Hedtke
- Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Vicky Hunt
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Virak Khieu
- National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Cambodia Ministry of Health, Cambodia
| | - Taisei Kikuchi
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8652, Japan
| | - Asuka Kounosu
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Dominika Lastik
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Evolution, Ecology & Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Henry J. McSorley
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Paul McVeigh
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Angela Mousley
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Ben Murcott
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - William David Nevin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Eva Nosková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Pomari
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Kieran Reynolds
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Kirstin Ross
- Environmental Health, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Adrian Streit
- Department of Integrative Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Mona Suleiman
- Life Sciences Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Natalia Tiberti
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Mark Viney
- Department of Evolution, Ecology & Behaviour, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
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Hoogerwerf MA, Janse JJ, Kuiper VP, van Schuijlenburg R, Kruize YC, Sijtsma JC, Nosoh BA, Koopman JPR, Verbeek-Menken PH, Westra IM, Meij P, Brienen EA, Visser LG, van Lieshout L, Jochems SP, Yazdanbakhsh M, Roestenberg M. Protective efficacy of short-term infection with Necator americanus hookworm larvae in healthy volunteers in the Netherlands: a single-centre, placebo-controlled, randomised, controlled, phase 1 trial. Lancet Microbe 2023; 4:e1024-e1034. [PMID: 38042152 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine development against hookworm is hampered by the absence of the development of protective immunity in populations repeatedly exposed to hookworm, limiting identification of mechanisms of protective immunity and new vaccine targets. Immunisation with attenuated larvae has proven effective in dogs and partial immunity has been achieved using an irradiated larvae model in healthy volunteers. We aimed to investigate the protective efficacy of immunisation with short-term larval infection against hookworm challenge. METHODS We did a single-centre, placebo-controlled, randomised, controlled, phase 1 trial at Leiden University Medical Center (Leiden, Netherlands). Healthy volunteers (aged 18-45 years) were recruited using advertisements on social media and in publicly accessible areas. Volunteers were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive three short-term infections with 50 infectious Necator americanus third-stage filariform larvae (50L3) or placebo. Infection was abrogated with a 3-day course of albendazole 400 mg, 2 weeks after each exposure. Subsequently all volunteers were challenged with two doses of 50L3 at a 2-week interval. The primary endpoint was egg load (geometric mean per g faeces) measured weekly between weeks 12 and 16 after first challenge, assessed in the per-protocol population, which included all randomly assigned volunteers with available data on egg counts at week 12-16 after challenge. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03702530. FINDINGS Between Nov 8 and Dec 14, 2018, 26 volunteers were screened, of whom 23 enrolled in the trial. The first immunisation was conducted on Dec 18, 2018. 23 volunteers were randomly assigned (15 to the intervention group and eight to the placebo group). Egg load after challenge was lower in the intervention group than the placebo group (geometric mean 571 eggs per g [range 372-992] vs 873 eggs per g [268-1484]); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0·10). Five volunteers in the intervention group developed a severe skin rash, which was associated with 40% reduction in egg counts after challenge (geometric mean 742 eggs per g [range 268-1484] vs 441 eggs per g [range 380-520] after challenge; p=0·0025) and associated with higher peak IgG1 titres. INTERPRETATION To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe a protective effect of short-term exposure to hookworm larvae and show an association with skin response, eosinophilic response, and IgG1. These findings could inform future hookworm vaccine development. FUNDING Dioraphte Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Astrid Hoogerwerf
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands; Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Vincent P Kuiper
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Yvonne Cm Kruize
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen C Sijtsma
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Beckley A Nosoh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan-Pieter R Koopman
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Petra H Verbeek-Menken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Inge M Westra
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, and Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Pauline Meij
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, and Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eric At Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Simon P Jochems
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands; Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
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7
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Koopman JPR, Houlder EL, Janse JJ, Casacuberta-Partal M, Lamers OAC, Sijtsma JC, de Dood C, Hilt ST, Ozir-Fazalalikhan A, Kuiper VP, Roozen GVT, de Bes-Roeleveld LM, Kruize YCM, Wammes LJ, Smits HH, van Lieshout L, van Dam GJ, van Amerongen-Westra IM, Meij P, Corstjens PLAM, Jochems SP, van Diepen A, Yazdanbakhsh M, Hokke CH, Roestenberg M. Safety and infectivity of female cercariae in Schistosoma-naïve, healthy participants: a controlled human Schistosoma mansoni infection study. EBioMedicine 2023; 97:104832. [PMID: 37837930 PMCID: PMC10585222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A controlled human infection model for schistosomiasis (CHI-S) can speed up vaccine development and provides insight into early immune responses following schistosome exposure. Recently, we established CHI-S model using single-sex male-only Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) cercariae in Schistosoma-naïve individuals. Given important differences in antigenic profile and human immune responses to schistosomes of different sex, we pioneered a single-sex female-only CHI-S model for future use in vaccine development. METHODS We exposed 13 healthy, Schistosoma-naïve adult participants to 10 (n = 3) or 20 (n = 10) female cercariae and followed for 20 weeks, receiving treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) 60 mg/kg at week 8 and 12 after exposure. FINDINGS The majority (11/13) participants reported rash and/or itch at the site of exposure, 5/13 had transient symptoms of acute schistosomiasis. Exposure to 20 cercariae led to detectable infection, defined as serum circulating anodic antigen levels >1.0 pg/mL, in 6/10 participants. Despite two rounds of PZQ treatment, 4/13 participants showed signs of persistent infection. Additional one- or three-day PZQ treatment (1 × 60 mg/kg and 3 × 60 mg/kg) or artemether did not result in cure, but over time three participants self-cured. Antibody, cellular, and cytokine responses peaked at week 4 post infection, with a mixed Th1, Th2, and regulatory profile. Cellular responses were (most) discriminative for symptoms. INTERPRETATION Female-only infections exhibit similar clinical and immunological profiles as male-only infections but are more resistant to PZQ treatment. This limits future use of this model and may have important implications for disease control programs. FUNDING European Union's Horizon 2020 (grant no. 81564).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pieter R Koopman
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Emma L Houlder
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline J Janse
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Miriam Casacuberta-Partal
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Olivia A C Lamers
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen C Sijtsma
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Claudia de Dood
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Stan T Hilt
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arifa Ozir-Fazalalikhan
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent P Kuiper
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Geert V T Roozen
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Laura M de Bes-Roeleveld
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Yvonne C M Kruize
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Linda J Wammes
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Inge M van Amerongen-Westra
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Pauline Meij
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simon P Jochems
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Angela van Diepen
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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8
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Sarink MJ, Koelewijn R, Stelma F, Kortbeek T, van Lieshout L, Smit PW, Tielens AGM, van Hellemond JJ. An International External Quality Assessment Scheme to Assess the Diagnostic Performance of Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Cornea 2023; 42:1027-1033. [PMID: 37155347 PMCID: PMC10306335 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003275] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the variation in methods and to determine whether an External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Acanthamoeba keratitis is valuable for the diagnostic process. METHODS A multicenter EQAS was introduced, covering 16 diagnostic laboratories. Using Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC strain 30010, 3 sets of samples were prepared, containing different amounts of DNA, cysts, or trophozoites. Samples were masked and sent to the participants with instructions for use and a questionnaire concerning the applied methodologies. Special attention in this questionnaire was given to the used pretreatment methods to assess existing variations in these procedures. RESULTS A large variation in the methodologies and substantial differences in the diagnostic performance were found between participants. In contrast to the DNA samples where all participants had a perfect score, several false negative results were reported for the samples containing cysts or trophozoites. Only 9 participants had an optimal score, whereas one participant reported all samples as negative, one participant reported failures due to inhibition, and the other 5 reported in total 7 false negative results. A clear correlation was noticed between the PCR detection rate and the number of cysts or trophozoites in the sample. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that a pretreatment procedure can be a risky step in PCR-based detections of Acanthamoeba , but it improves the sensitivity and reliability, especially of samples containing cysts. Therefore, participation in an EQAS is informative for routine diagnostic laboratories and can assist in improving the laboratory procedures used for the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten J. Sarink
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Koelewijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Foekje Stelma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Titia Kortbeek
- National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands; and
| | - Pieter W. Smit
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aloysius G. M. Tielens
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap J. van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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9
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Oyibo P, Meulah B, Bengtson M, van Lieshout L, Oyibo W, Diehl JC, Vdovine G, Agbana T. Two-stage automated diagnosis framework for urogenital schistosomiasis in microscopy images from low-resource settings. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2023; 10:044005. [PMID: 37554627 PMCID: PMC10405291 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.10.4.044005] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Automated diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis using digital microscopy images of urine slides is an essential step toward the elimination of schistosomiasis as a disease of public health concern in Sub-Saharan African countries. We create a robust image dataset of urine samples obtained from field settings and develop a two-stage diagnosis framework for urogenital schistosomiasis. APPROACH Urine samples obtained from field settings were captured using the Schistoscope device, and S. haematobium eggs present in the images were manually annotated by experts to create the SH dataset. Next, we develop a two-stage diagnosis framework, which consists of semantic segmentation of S. haematobium eggs using the DeepLabv3-MobileNetV3 deep convolutional neural network and a refined segmentation step using ellipse fitting approach to approximate the eggs with an automatically determined number of ellipses. We defined two linear inequality constraints as a function of the overlap coefficient and area of a fitted ellipses. False positive diagnosis resulting from over-segmentation was further minimized using these constraints. We evaluated the performance of our framework on 7605 images from 65 independent urine samples collected from field settings in Nigeria, by deploying our algorithm on an Edge AI system consisting of Raspberry Pi + Coral USB accelerator. RESULT The SH dataset contains 12,051 images from 103 independent urine samples and the developed urogenital schistosomiasis diagnosis framework achieved clinical sensitivity, specificity, and precision of 93.8%, 93.9%, and 93.8%, respectively, using results from an experienced microscopist as reference. CONCLUSION Our detection framework is a promising tool for the diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis as our results meet the World Health Organization target product profile requirements for monitoring and evaluation of schistosomiasis control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper Oyibo
- Delft University of Technology, Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands
- University of Lagos, College of Medicine, Centre for Malaria Diagnosis, NTD Research, Training, and Policy/ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Brice Meulah
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Parasitology, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre de Recherches Medicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambarene, Gabon
| | - Michel Bengtson
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Parasitology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Parasitology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wellington Oyibo
- University of Lagos, College of Medicine, Centre for Malaria Diagnosis, NTD Research, Training, and Policy/ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Jan-Carel Diehl
- Delft University of Technology, Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Gleb Vdovine
- Delft University of Technology, Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Tope Agbana
- Delft University of Technology, Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands
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10
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Sturt A, Bristowe H, Webb E, Hansingo I, Phiri C, Mudenda M, Mapani J, Mweene T, Levecke B, Cools P, van Dam G, Corstjens P, Ayles H, Hayes R, Francis S, van Lieshout L, Vwalika B, Kjetland E, Bustinduy A. Visual diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis in Zambian women from hand-held colposcopy: agreement of expert image review and association with clinical symptoms. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:14. [PMID: 36864924 PMCID: PMC9971661 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18737.2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) can occur in S. haematobium infection and is caused by egg deposition in the genital tract. Confirming a diagnosis of FGS is challenging due to the lack of a diagnostic reference standard. A 2010 expert-led consensus meeting proposed visual inspection of the cervicovaginal mucosa as an adequate reference standard for FGS diagnosis. The agreement of expert human reviewers for visual-FGS has not been previously described. Methods: In two Zambian communities, non-menstruating, non-pregnant, sexually-active women aged 18-31 years participating in the HPTN 071 (PopART) Population-Cohort were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Self-collected genital swabs and a urine specimen were collected at a home visit; trained midwives performed cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) and hand-held colposcopy at a clinic visit. S. haematobium eggs and circulating anodic antigen (CAA) were detected from urine. Two senior physicians served as expert reviewers and independently diagnosed visual-FGS as the presence of sandy patches, rubbery papules or abnormal blood vessels in cervicovaginal images obtained by hand-held colposcopy. PCR-FGS was defined as Schistosoma DNA detected by real-time PCR in any genital specimen (CVL or genital swab). Results: Of 527 women with cervicovaginal colposcopic images, 468/527 (88.8%) were deemed interpretable by Reviewer 1 and 417/527 (79.1%) by Reviewer 2. Visual-FGS was detected in 35.3% (165/468) of participants by expert review of colposcopic images by Reviewer 1 and in 63.6% (265/417) by Reviewer 2. Cohen's kappa statistic for agreement between the two reviewers was 0.16, corresponding to "slight" agreement. The reviewers made concordant diagnoses in 38.7% (204/527) participants (100 negative, 104 positive) and discordant diagnoses in 31.8% (168/527) participants. Conclusions: The unexpectedly low level of correlation between expert reviewers highlights the imperfect nature of visual diagnosis for FGS based on cervicovaginal images. This finding is a call to action for improved point-of-care diagnostics for female genital schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Sturt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, 94305, USA
| | | | - Emily Webb
- MRC International Statistic and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | | | - Maina Mudenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Joyce Mapani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | | | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology, and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology, and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, B-9000, Belgium
| | - Govert van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- MRC International Statistic and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Suzanna Francis
- MRC International Statistic and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Bellington Vwalika
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Eyrun Kjetland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, 0450, Norway
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa
| | - Amaya Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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11
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de Korne CM, van Lieshout L, van Leeuwen FWB, Roestenberg M. Imaging as a (pre)clinical tool in parasitology. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:212-226. [PMID: 36641293 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.12.008] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Imaging of parasites is central to diagnosis of many parasitic diseases and has thus far played an important role in the development of antiparasitic strategies. The development of novel imaging technologies has revolutionized medicine in fields other than parasitology and has also opened up new avenues for the visualization of parasites. Here we review the role imaging technology has played so far in parasitology and how it may spur further advancement. We point out possibilities to improve current microscopy-based diagnostic methods and how to extend them with radiological imaging modalities. We also highlight in vivo tracking of parasites as a readout for efficacy of new antiparasitic strategies and as a source of fundamental insights for rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarize Maria de Korne
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands; Interventional Molecular Imaging laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fijs Willem Bernhard van Leeuwen
- Interventional Molecular Imaging laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Leiden University Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333, ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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12
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Sturt A, Bristowe H, Webb E, Hansingo I, Phiri C, Mudenda M, Mapani J, Mweene T, Levecke B, Cools P, van Dam G, Corstjens P, Ayles H, Hayes R, Francis S, van Lieshout L, Vwalika B, Kjetland E, Bustinduy A. Visual diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis in Zambian women from hand-held colposcopy: agreement of expert image review. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:14. [PMID: 36864924 PMCID: PMC9971661 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18737.1] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) can occur in S. haematobium infection and is caused by parasite egg deposition in the genital tract. Confirming a diagnosis of FGS is challenging due to the lack of a diagnostic reference standard. A 2010 expert-led consensus meeting proposed visual inspection of the cervicovaginal mucosa as an adequate reference standard for FGS diagnosis. The agreement of expert human reviewers for visual-FGS has not been previously described. Methods: In two Zambian communities, non-menstruating, non-pregnant, sexually-active women aged 18-31 years participating in the HPTN 071 (PopART) Population-Cohort were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Self-collected genital swabs and a urine specimen were collected at a home visit; trained midwives performed CVL and hand-held colposcopy at a clinic visit. S. haematobium eggs and circulating anodic antigen (CAA) were detected from urine. Two expert reviewers independently diagnosed visual-FGS as the presence of sandy patches, rubbery papules or abnormal blood vessels in digital cervicovaginal images obtained by hand-held colposcopy. PCR-FGS was defined as Schistosoma DNA detected by real-time PCR in any genital specimen (CVL or genital swab). Results: Of 527 women with cervicovaginal colposcopic images, 468/527 (88.8%) were deemed interpretable by Reviewer 1 and 417/527 (79.1%) by Reviewer 2. Visual-FGS was detected in 35.3% (165/468) of participants by expert review of colposcopic images by Reviewer 1 and in 63.6% (265/417) by Reviewer 2. Cohen's kappa statistic for agreement between the two expert reviewers was 0.16, corresponding to "slight" agreement. The reviewers made concordant diagnoses in 38.7% (204/527) participants (100 negative, 104 positive) and discordant diagnoses in 31.8% (168/527) participants. Conclusions: The unexpectedly low level of correlation between expert reviewers highlights the imperfect nature of visual diagnosis for FGS based on cervicovaginal images obtained with a hand-held colposcope. This finding is a call to action for improved point-of-care diagnostics for female genital schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Sturt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, 94305, USA
| | | | - Emily Webb
- MRC International Statistic and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | | | - Maina Mudenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Joyce Mapani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | | | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology, and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology, and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, B-9000, Belgium
| | - Govert van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- MRC International Statistic and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Suzanna Francis
- MRC International Statistic and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Bellington Vwalika
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Eyrun Kjetland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, 0450, Norway
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa
| | - Amaya Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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Krolewiecki A, Enbiale W, Gandasegui J, van Lieshout L, Kepha S, Messa Junior A, Bengtson M, Gelaye W, Escola V, Martinez-Valladares M, Cambra-Pellejà M, Algorta J, Martí-Soler H, Fleitas P, Ballester MR, Doyle SR, Williams NA, Legarda A, Mandomando I, Mwandawiro C, Muñoz J. An adaptive phase II/III safety and efficacy randomized controlled trial of single day or three-day fixed-dose albendazole-ivermectin co-formulation versus albendazole for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura and other STH infections. ALIVE trial protocol. Gates Open Res 2022; 6:62. [PMID: 36540062 PMCID: PMC9714317 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13615.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are targeted for control through mass drug-administration campaigns to prevent morbidity affecting at-risk groups in endemic regions. Although broadly successful, the use of albendazole and mebendazole achieved variable progress, with deficiencies against Trichuris trichiura and a predictable low efficacy against Strongyloides stercoralis. Novel drug combinations offer a potential solution, providing they can be delivered safely and maintain efficacy against all STH species. Here we present the protocol of a clinical trial to evaluate a fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet containing albendazole and ivermectin that will be compared against albendazole against STH . Methods: An adaptive phase II/III randomized controlled trial will be undertaken in STH endemic sites in Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique to evaluate an oral FDC of 400 mg albendazole and either 9- or 18 mg ivermectin. FDC will be administered as a single dose or single doses over three-consecutive days and assessed against a single dose of 400 mg albendazole. In the phase II trial, 126 T. trichiura-infected children weighting 15 to 45 kg will be treated in a dose-escalation manner to determine safety objectives. In the phase III trial, 1097 participants aged 5 to 18 years old infected with T. trichiura, hookworm and S. stercoralis will be recruited to determine safety and efficacy. The trial will be open-label with blinded outcome assessors. Cure rate measured 21-days after-treatment in duplicate Kato-Katz is the primary efficacy outcome. Secondary objectives include efficacy evaluation by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as an outcome measurement, description of pharmacokinetic parameters, palatability and acceptability evaluations, and monitoring of anthelmintic resistance. Conclusions: This trial with registrational goals seeks to evaluate an innovative fixed-dose combination of albendazole and ivermectin co-formulated tablets, with the goal of providing an anthelmintic regimen with improved efficacy and spectrum of coverage against STH. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05124691 (18/11/2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Krolewiecki
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Oran, Salta, 4530, Argentina
| | - Wendemagegn Enbiale
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.,Department of Dermatology,, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Javier Gandasegui
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stella Kepha
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Michel Bengtson
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Woyneshet Gelaye
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Valdemiro Escola
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - María Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Grulleros, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - María Cambra-Pellejà
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-Universidad de León, Grulleros, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | | | - Helena Martí-Soler
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Fleitas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Oran, Salta, 4530, Argentina
| | - Maria Rosa Ballester
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Health Sciences Blanquerna,, University Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Nana Aba Williams
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Almudena Legarda
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inácio Mandomando
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Charles Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - José Muñoz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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14
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Sturt AS, Webb EL, Phiri CR, Mapani J, Mudenda M, Himschoot L, Kjetland EF, Mweene T, Levecke B, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Ayles H, Hayes RJ, Francis SC, van Lieshout L, Cools P, Hansingo I, Bustinduy AL. The Presence of Hemoglobin in Cervicovaginal Lavage Is Not Associated With Genital Schistosomiasis in Zambian Women From the BILHIV Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac586. [PMID: 36540382 PMCID: PMC9757690 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac586] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) occurs when Schistosoma haematobium eggs are deposited in reproductive tissue. Female genital schistosomiasis in the cervical mucosa is associated with increased vascularity. If FGS is associated with the presence of hemoglobin in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), the use of urinary reagent strips to detect hemoglobin in CVL could supplement FGS diagnosis. Methods Nonmenstruating, nonpregnant, sexually active women aged 18-31 participating in the HPTN 071 (PopART) Population-Cohort were invited in 2 Zambian communities. Genital self-swabs and a urine specimen were collected at a home visit, and CVL and hand-held colposcopy were performed at a midwife led clinic visit. Urinary reagent strips were used to identify hemoglobin in CVL. Eggs and circulating anodic antigen (CAA) were detected from urine. Visual-FGS was defined as the presence of sandy patches, rubbery papules, or abnormal blood vessels. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-FGS was defined as Schistosoma deoxyribonucleic acid detected by real-time PCR on CVL or cervical or vaginal swab. Results Of 209 women with home genital swabs and companion CVL specimens, 66% (138 of 209) had detectable CVL hemoglobin, 13.4% (28 of 209) had PCR-defined FGS, and 17.2% (36 of 209) had visual-FGS. Active Schistosoma infection, diagnosed by CAA or urine microscopy, was present in 21.0% (44 of 209) participants. Active Schistosoma infection (P = .4), PCR-FGS (P = 0.7), and visual-FGS (P = 0.3) were not associated with CVL hemoglobin presence. Results did not differ in subgroups with high infection burden (cycle threshold < 35 or 2-3 positive genital PCR). Conclusions Polymerase chain reaction-FGS, visual-FGS, and active Schistosoma infection were not associated with the presence of CVL hemoglobin. Further research is needed to establish accessible community-based FGS diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Sturt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Joyce Mapani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Maina Mudenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Lisa Himschoot
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eyrun F Kjetland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Hayes
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanna C Francis
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Gandasegui J, Onwuchekwa C, Krolewiecki AJ, Doyle SR, Pullan RL, Enbiale W, Kepha S, Hatherell HA, van Lieshout L, Cambra-Pellejà M, Escola V, Muñoz J. Ivermectin and albendazole coadministration: opportunities for strongyloidiasis control. Lancet Infect Dis 2022; 22:e341-e347. [PMID: 35850127 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(22)00369-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2020, WHO recognised the importance of strongyloidiasis alongside soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in their 2021-30 roadmap, which aspires to target Strongyloides stercoralis with preventive chemotherapy by use of ivermectin. Combination treatment with both albendazole, the primary drug used to treat STH, and ivermectin, would improve the efficiency of mass drug administration targeting both STH and S stercoralis. In this Personal View, we discuss the challenges and opportunities towards the development of an efficient control programme for strongyloidiasis, particularly if it is to run concurrently with STH control. We argue the need to define the prevalence threshold to implement preventive chemotherapy for S stercoralis, the target populations and optimal dosing schedules, and discuss the added benefits of a fixed-dose coformulation of ivermectin and albendazole. Implementation of an efficient control programme will require improvements to current diagnostics, and validation of new diagnostics, to target and monitor S stercoralis infections, and consideration of the challenges of multispecies diagnostics for S stercoralis and STH control. Finally, the evolution of ivermectin resistance represents a credible risk to control S stercoralis; we argue that genome-wide approaches, together with improved genome resources, are needed to characterise and prevent the emergence of resistance. Overcoming these challenges will help to reduce strongyloidiasis burden and enhance the feasibility of controlling it worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Gandasegui
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chukwuemeka Onwuchekwa
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro J Krolewiecki
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Orán, Argentina
| | | | - Rachel L Pullan
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Wendemagegn Enbiale
- Bahir Dar University, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stella Kepha
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Nairobi, Kenya; Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hollie Ann Hatherell
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - María Cambra-Pellejà
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Universidad de León, Grulleros, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | | | - José Muñoz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Hoekstra PT, Madinga J, Lutumba P, van Grootveld R, Brienen EAT, Corstjens PLAM, van Dam GJ, Polman K, van Lieshout L. Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis without a Microscope: Evaluating Circulating Antigen (CCA, CAA) and DNA Detection Methods on Banked Samples of a Community-Based Survey from DR Congo. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7100315. [PMID: 36288056 PMCID: PMC9608707 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100315] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of Schistosoma eggs in stool or urine is known for its low sensitivity in diagnosing light infections. Alternative diagnostics with better sensitivity while remaining highly specific, such as real-time PCR and circulating antigen detection, are progressively used as complementary diagnostic procedures but have not yet replaced microscopy. This study evaluates these alternative methods for the detection of Schistosoma infections in the absence of microscopy. Schistosomiasis presence was determined retrospectively in 314 banked stool and urine samples, available from a previous survey on the prevalence of taeniasis in a community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, using real-time PCR, the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test, as well as the up-converting particle lateral flow circulating anodic antigen (UCP-LF CAA) test. Schistosoma DNA was present in urine (3%) and stool (28%) samples, while CCA (28%) and CAA (69%) were detected in urine. Further analysis of the generated data indicated stool-based PCR and the POC-CCA test to be suitable diagnostics for screening of S. mansoni infections, even in the absence of microscopy. A substantial proportion (60%) of the 215 CAA-positive cases showed low antigen concentrations, suggesting that even PCR and POC-CCA underestimated the “true” number of schistosome positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pytsje T. Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| | - Joule Madinga
- Institute of Health and Society, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pascal Lutumba
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa 1197, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Department of Tropical Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 7948, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Rebecca van Grootveld
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A. T. Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Katja Polman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Health Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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17
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Meulah B, Oyibo P, Bengtson M, Agbana T, Lontchi RAL, Adegnika AA, Oyibo W, Hokke CH, Diehl JC, van Lieshout L. Performance Evaluation of the Schistoscope 5.0 for (Semi-)automated Digital Detection and Quantification of Schistosoma haematobium Eggs in Urine: A Field-based Study in Nigeria. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:1047-1054. [PMID: 36252803 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0276] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional microscopy is the standard procedure for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, despite its limited sensitivity, reliance on skilled personnel, and the fact that it is error prone. Here, we report the performance of the innovative (semi-)automated Schistoscope 5.0 for optical digital detection and quantification of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine, using conventional microscopy as the reference standard. At baseline, 487 participants in a rural setting in Nigeria were assessed, of which 166 (34.1%) tested S. haematobium positive by conventional microscopy. Captured images from the Schistoscope 5.0 were analyzed manually (semiautomation) and by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm (full automation). Semi- and fully automated digital microscopy showed comparable sensitivities of 80.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.2-86.0) and 87.3% (95% CI: 81.3-92.0), but a significant difference in specificity of 95.3% (95% CI: 92.4-97.4) and 48.9% (95% CI: 43.3-55.0), respectively. Overall, estimated egg counts of semi- and fully automated digital microscopy correlated significantly with the egg counts of conventional microscopy (r = 0.90 and r = 0.80, respectively, P < 0.001), although the fully automated procedure generally underestimated the higher egg counts. In 38 egg positive cases, an additional urine sample was examined 10 days after praziquantel treatment, showing a similar cure rate and egg reduction rate when comparing conventional microscopy with semiautomated digital microscopy. In this first extensive field evaluation, we found the semiautomated Schistoscope 5.0 to be a promising tool for the detection and monitoring of S. haematobium infection, although further improvement of the AI algorithm for full automation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Meulah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre de Recherches Médicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Prosper Oyibo
- Mechanical, Maritime and Material Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.,Centre for Malaria Diagnosis, NTD Research, Training & Policy/ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Michel Bengtson
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Temitope Agbana
- Mechanical, Maritime and Material Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ayola Akim Adegnika
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre de Recherches Médicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut fur Tropenmedizin, Universitat Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wellington Oyibo
- Centre for Malaria Diagnosis, NTD Research, Training & Policy/ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Jan Carel Diehl
- Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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18
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Santano R, Rubio R, Grau-Pujol B, Escola V, Muchisse O, Cuamba I, Vidal M, Ruiz-Olalla G, Aguilar R, Gandasegui J, Demontis M, Jamine JC, Cossa A, Sacoor C, Cano J, Izquierdo L, Chitnis CE, Coppel RL, Chauhan V, Cavanagh D, Dutta S, Angov E, van Lieshout L, Zhan B, Muñoz J, Dobaño C, Moncunill G. Evaluation of antibody serology to determine current helminth and Plasmodium falciparum infections in a co-endemic area in Southern Mozambique. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010138. [PMID: 35727821 PMCID: PMC9212154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STH), Schistosoma spp. and Plasmodium falciparum are parasites of major public health importance and co-endemic in many sub-Saharan African countries. Management of these infections requires detection and treatment of infected people and evaluation of large-scale measures implemented. Diagnostic tools are available but their low sensitivity, especially for low intensity helminth infections, leaves room for improvement. Antibody serology could be a useful approach thanks to its potential to detect both current infection and past exposure. Methodology We evaluated total IgE responses and specific-IgG levels to 9 antigens from STH, 2 from Schistosoma spp., and 16 from P. falciparum, as potential markers of current infection in a population of children and adults from Southern Mozambique (N = 715). Antibody responses were measured by quantitative suspension array Luminex technology and their performance was evaluated by ROC curve analysis using microscopic and molecular detection of infections as reference. Principal findings IgG against the combination of EXP1, AMA1 and MSP2 (P. falciparum) in children and NIE (Strongyloides stercoralis) in adults and children had the highest accuracies (AUC = 0.942 and AUC = 0.872, respectively) as markers of current infection. IgG against the combination of MEA and Sm25 (Schistosoma spp.) were also reliable markers of current infection (AUC = 0.779). In addition, IgG seropositivity against 20 out of the 27 antigens in the panel differentiated the seropositive endemic population from the non-endemic population, suggesting a possible role as markers of exposure although sensitivity could not be assessed. Conclusions We provided evidence for the utility of antibody serology to detect current infection with parasites causing tropical diseases in endemic populations. In addition, most of the markers have potential good specificity as markers of exposure. We also showed the feasibility of measuring antibody serology with a platform that allows the integration of control and elimination programs for different pathogens. Parasitic worms and Plasmodium falciparum, the causal agent of malaria, are among the most relevant parasitic diseases of our time and efforts are under way for their control and, ultimately, elimination. An accurate diagnosis is relevant for case management, but also allows calculating the prevalence and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment and control measures. Unfortunately, current diagnostic methods for parasitic worms are not optimal and many infections remain undetected. As for P. falciparum, current diagnostic techniques are satisfactory but do not allow for ascertaining exposure, which is relevant for evaluating control measures. Here we investigated the utility of measuring antibodies to these parasites as a diagnostic method. Our results indicate that it is possible to detect current infection with parasitic worms and P. falciparum using antibody detection with a moderate to high accuracy. We also show that antibodies against the antigens in this study have potential as markers of exposure. Importantly, we used a platform that allows for the simultaneous detection of immunoglobulins to different parasites, which would be extremely useful as a tool to integrate control and elimination programs for several pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Santano
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (RS); (CD); (GM)
| | - Rocío Rubio
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berta Grau-Pujol
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Fundación Mundo Sano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valdemiro Escola
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Osvaldo Muchisse
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Inocência Cuamba
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Marta Vidal
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Ruiz-Olalla
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruth Aguilar
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Gandasegui
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Demontis
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anélsio Cossa
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Charfudin Sacoor
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Jorge Cano
- Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases Cluster (UCN), WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chetan E. Chitnis
- Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ross L. Coppel
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Virander Chauhan
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - David Cavanagh
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sheetij Dutta
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Evelina Angov
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bin Zhan
- Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - José Muñoz
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (RS); (CD); (GM)
| | - Gemma Moncunill
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (RS); (CD); (GM)
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Oyibo P, Jujjavarapu S, Meulah B, Agbana T, Braakman I, van Diepen A, Bengtson M, van Lieshout L, Oyibo W, Vdovine G, Diehl JC. Schistoscope: An Automated Microscope with Artificial Intelligence for Detection of Schistosoma haematobium Eggs in Resource-Limited Settings. Micromachines 2022; 13:mi13050643. [PMID: 35630110 PMCID: PMC9146062 DOI: 10.3390/mi13050643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
For many parasitic diseases, the microscopic examination of clinical samples such as urine and stool still serves as the diagnostic reference standard, primarily because microscopes are accessible and cost-effective. However, conventional microscopy is laborious, requires highly skilled personnel, and is highly subjective. Requirements for skilled operators, coupled with the cost and maintenance needs of the microscopes, which is hardly done in endemic countries, presents grossly limited access to the diagnosis of parasitic diseases in resource-limited settings. The urgent requirement for the management of tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis, which is now focused on elimination, has underscored the critical need for the creation of access to easy-to-use diagnosis for case detection, community mapping, and surveillance. In this paper, we present a low-cost automated digital microscope—the Schistoscope—which is capable of automatic focusing and scanning regions of interest in prepared microscope slides, and automatic detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in captured images. The device was developed using widely accessible distributed manufacturing methods and off-the-shelf components to enable local manufacturability and ease of maintenance. For proof of principle, we created a Schistosoma haematobium egg dataset of over 5000 images captured from spiked and clinical urine samples from field settings and demonstrated the automatic detection of Schistosoma haematobium eggs using a trained deep neural network model. The experiments and results presented in this paper collectively illustrate the robustness, stability, and optical performance of the device, making it suitable for use in the monitoring and evaluation of schistosomiasis control programs in endemic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper Oyibo
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands; (P.O.); (T.A.); (G.V.)
- ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria;
| | - Satyajith Jujjavarapu
- Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands; (S.J.); (I.B.)
| | - Brice Meulah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (B.M.); (A.v.D.); (M.B.); (L.v.L.)
- Centre de Recherches Medicales des Lambaréné, CERMEL, Lambarene BP 242, Gabon
| | - Tope Agbana
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands; (P.O.); (T.A.); (G.V.)
| | - Ingeborg Braakman
- Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands; (S.J.); (I.B.)
| | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (B.M.); (A.v.D.); (M.B.); (L.v.L.)
| | - Michel Bengtson
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (B.M.); (A.v.D.); (M.B.); (L.v.L.)
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (B.M.); (A.v.D.); (M.B.); (L.v.L.)
| | - Wellington Oyibo
- ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria;
| | - Gleb Vdovine
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands; (P.O.); (T.A.); (G.V.)
| | - Jan-Carel Diehl
- Department of Sustainable Design Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands; (S.J.); (I.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-614-015-469
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20
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Hoekstra PT, Chernet A, de Dood CJ, Brienen EAT, Corstjens PLAM, Labhardt ND, Nickel B, Wammes LJ, van Dam GJ, Neumayr A, van Lieshout L. Sensitive Diagnosis and Post-Treatment Follow-Up of Schistosoma mansoni Infections in Asymptomatic Eritrean Refugees by Circulating Anodic Antigen Detection and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:1240-1246. [PMID: 35226879 PMCID: PMC8991328 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of refugees coming from or passing through Schistosoma-endemic areas and arriving in Europe highlights the importance of screening for schistosomiasis on arrival, and focuses attention on the choice of diagnostic test. We evaluate the diagnostic performance of circulating anodic antigen (CAA) detection in 92 asymptomatic refugees from Eritrea. Results were compared with already-available stool microscopy, serology, and urine point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) data. For a full diagnostic comparison, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the POC-CCA were included. All outcomes were compared against a composite reference standard. Urine and serum samples were subjected to the ultra-sensitive and highly specific up-converting particle lateral flow CAA test, Schistosoma spp. real-time PCR was performed on urine and stool, and the POC-CCA was used on urine using the G-score method. CAA was detected in 43% of urine and in 40% of serum samples. Urine PCR was negative in all 92 individuals, whereas 25% showed Schistosoma DNA in stool. POC-CCA was positive in 30% of individuals. The CAA test confirmed all microscopy positives, except for two cases that were also negative by all other diagnostic procedures. Post-treatment, a significant reduction in the number of positives and infection intensity was observed, in particular regarding CAA levels. Our findings confirm that microscopy, serology, and POC-CCA lack the sensitivity to detect all active Schistosoma infections. Accuracy of stool PCR was similar to microscopy, indicating that this method also lacks sensitivity. The CAA test appeared to be the most accurate method for screening active Schistosoma infections and for monitoring treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pytsje T. Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Afona Chernet
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia J. de Dood
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A. T. Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Niklaus D. Labhardt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Nickel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Linda J. Wammes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Neumayr
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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21
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Archer J, Patwary FK, Sturt AS, Webb EL, Phiri CR, Mweene T, Hayes RJ, Ayles H, Brienen EAT, van Lieshout L, Webster BL, Bustinduy AL. Validation of the isothermal Schistosoma haematobium Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) assay, coupled with simplified sample preparation, for diagnosing female genital schistosomiasis using cervicovaginal lavage and vaginal self-swab samples. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010276. [PMID: 35286336 PMCID: PMC8947142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected and disabling gynecological disease that can result from infection with the parasitic trematode Schistosoma haematobium. Accurate diagnosis of FGS is crucial for effective case management, surveillance and control. However, current methods for diagnosis and morbidity assessment can be inaccessible to those at need, labour intensive, costly and unreliable. Molecular techniques such as PCR can be used to reliably diagnose FGS via the detection of Schistosoma DNA using cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples as well as lesser-invasive vaginal self-swab (VSS) and cervical self-swab samples. PCR is, however, currently unsuited for use in most endemic settings. As such, in this study, we assessed the use of a rapid and portable S. haematobium recombinase polymerase amplification (Sh-RPA) isothermal molecular diagnostic assay, coupled with simplified sample preparation methodologies, to detect S. haematobium DNA using CVL and VSS samples provided by patients in Zambia. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS VSS and CVL samples were screened for FGS using a previously developed Sh-RPA assay. DNA was isolated from VSS and CVL samples using the QIAamp Mini kit (n = 603 and 527, respectively). DNA was also isolated from CVL samples using two rapid and portable DNA extraction methods: 1) the SpeedXtract Nucleic Acid Kit (n = 223) and 2) the Extracta DNA Tissue Prep Kit (n = 136). Diagnostic performance of the Sh-RPA using VSS DNA extacts (QIAamp Mini kit) as well as CVL DNA extracts (QIAamp Mini kit, SpeedXtract Nucleic Acid Kit and Extracta DNA Tissue Prep Kit) was then compared to a real-time PCR reference test. Results suggest that optimal performance may be achieved when the Sh-RPA is used with PuVSS samples (sensitivity 93.3%; specificity 96.6%), however no comparisons between different DNA extraction methods using VSS samples could be carried out within this study. When using CVL samples, sensitivity of the Sh-RPA ranged between 71.4 and 85.7 across all three DNA extraction methods when compared to real-time PCR using CVL samples prepared using the QIAamp Mini kit. Interestingly, of these three DNA extraction methods, the rapid and portable SpeedXtract method had the greatest sensitivity and specificity (85.7% and 98.1%, respectively). Specificity of the Sh-RPA was >91% across all comparisons. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These results supplement previous findings, highlighting that the use of genital self-swab sampling for diagnosing FGS should be explored further whilst also demonstrating that rapid and portable DNA isolation methods can be used to detect S. haematobium DNA within clinical samples using RPA. Although further development and assessment is needed, it was concluded that the Sh-RPA, coupled with simplified sample preparation, shows excellent promise as a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool capable of diagnosing FGS at the point-of-care in resource-poor schistosomiasis-endemic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Archer
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Farhan K. Patwary
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amy S. Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L. Webb
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tobias Mweene
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Richard J. Hayes
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Eric A. T. Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amaya L. Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Boonstra MB, Koelewijn R, Brienen EAT, Silvis W, Stelma FF, Mank TG, Mulder B, van Lieshout L, van Hellemond JJ. Malaria diagnosis in a malaria non-endemic high-resource country: high variation of diagnostic strategy in clinical laboratories in the Netherlands. Malar J 2021; 20:411. [PMID: 34666766 PMCID: PMC8524939 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03889-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microscopic examination of thick and thin blood films is the gold standard in current guidelines for the diagnosis of malaria, but guidelines do not uniformly agree on which combination of other methods should be used and when. Methods Three questionnaires were sent between March 2018 and September 2019 to laboratories subscribing to the external quality assessment scheme for the diagnosis of blood and intestinal parasites of the Dutch Foundation for Quality Assessment in Medical Laboratories in order to investigate how much variation in the laboratory diagnosis of malaria between different clinical laboratories is present in the Netherlands. Results The questionnaires were partially or fully completed by 67 of 77 (87%) laboratories. Only 9 laboratories reported 10 or more malaria positive patients per year. Most laboratories use a different diagnostic strategy, within office versus outside office hours depending on the screening assay result. Within office hours, 62.5% (35/56) of the responding laboratories perform an immunochromatographic test (ICT) in combination with microscopic examination of thick and thin blood films without additional examinations, such as Quantitative Buffy Coat and/or rtPCR analysis. Outside office hours 85.7% (48/56) of laboratories use an ICT as single screening assay and positive results are immediately confirmed by thick and thin blood films without additional examinations (89.6%, 43/48). In case of a negative ICT result outside office hours, 70.8% (34/48) of the laboratories perform microscopic examination of the thick film the next morning and 22.9% (11/48) confirm the negative ICT result immediately. Furthermore, substantial differences were found in the microscopic examinations of thick and thin blood films; the staining, theoretical sensitivity of the thick film and determination of parasitaemia. Conclusions This study demonstrated a remarkably high variation between laboratories in both their diagnostic strategy as well as their methods for microscopic examination for the diagnosis of malaria in a clinical setting, despite existing national and international guidelines. While the impact of these variations on the accuracy of the diagnosis of malaria is yet unknown, these findings should stimulate clinical laboratories to critically review their own diagnostic strategy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03889-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marrit B Boonstra
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Koelewijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Welmoed Silvis
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health (LabMicTA), Hengelo, The Netherlands
| | - Foekje F Stelma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Theo G Mank
- Regional Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Haarlem, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Mulder
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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23
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Gandasegui J, Grau-Pujol B, Cambra-Pelleja M, Escola V, Demontis MA, Cossa A, Jamine JC, Balaña-Fouce R, van Lieshout L, Muñoz J, Martínez-Valladares M. Improving stool sample processing and pyrosequencing for quantifying benzimidazole resistance alleles in Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus pooled eggs. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:490. [PMID: 34563247 PMCID: PMC8466976 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04941-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need for an extensive evaluation of benzimidazole efficacy in humans. In veterinary science, benzimidazole resistance has been mainly associated with three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene. In this study, we optimized the stool sample processing methodology and resistance allele frequency assessment in Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus anthelmintic-related SNPs by pyrosequencing, and standardized it for large-scale benzimidazole efficacy screening use. METHODS Three different protocols for stool sample processing were compared in 19 T. trichiura-positive samples: fresh stool, egg concentration using metallic sieves with decreasing pore size, and egg concentration followed by flotation with saturated salt solution. Yield of each protocol was assessed by estimating the load of parasite DNA by real-time PCR. Then, we sequenced a DNA fragment of the β-tubulin gene containing the putative benzimidazole resistance SNPs in T. trichiura and N. americanus. Afterwards, resistant and susceptible-type plasmids were produced and mixed at different proportions, simulating different resistance levels. These mixtures were used to compare previously described pyrosequencing assays with processes newly designed by our own group. Once the stool sample processing and the pyrosequencing methodology was defined, the utility of the protocols was assessed by measuring the frequencies of putative resistance SNPs in 15 T. trichiura- and 15 N. americanus-positive stool samples. RESULTS The highest DNA load was provided by egg concentration using metallic sieves with decreasing pore size. Sequencing information of the β-tubulin gene in Mozambican specimens was highly similar to the sequences previously reported, for T. trichiura and N. americanus, despite the origin of the sample. When we compared pyrosequencing assays using plasmids constructs, primers designed in this study provided the most accurate SNP frequencies. When pooled egg samples were analysed, none of resistant SNPs were observed in T. trichiura, whereas 17% of the resistant SNPs at codon 198 were found in one N. americanus sample. CONCLUSIONS We optimized the sample processing methodology and standardized pyrosequencing in soil-transmitted helminth (STH) pooled eggs. These protocols could be used in STH large-scale screenings or anthelmintic efficacy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Gandasegui
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - Berta Grau-Pujol
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação Em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique.,Fundación Mundo Sano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cambra-Pelleja
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - Valdemiro Escola
- Centro de Investigação Em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Anelsio Cossa
- Centro de Investigação Em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | | | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Departement of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - José Muñoz
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain. .,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain.
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24
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Sturt AS, Webb EL, Himschoot L, Phiri CR, Mapani J, Mudenda M, Kjetland EF, Mweene T, Levecke B, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Ayles H, Hayes RJ, van Lieshout L, Hansingo I, Francis SC, Cools P, Bustinduy AL. Association of Female Genital Schistosomiasis With the Cervicovaginal Microbiota and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Zambian Women. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab438. [PMID: 34557562 PMCID: PMC8454507 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cervicovaginal microbiota, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), have not been well described in female genital schistosomiasis (FGS). METHODS Women (aged 18-31, sexually active, nonpregnant) were invited to participate at the final follow-up of the HPTN 071 (PopART) Population Cohort in January-August 2018. We measured key species of the cervicovaginal microbiota (Lactobacillus crispatus, L. iners, Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, and Candida) and STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium) using quantitative PCR (qPCR). We evaluated associations of the microbiota and STI presence and concentration with FGS (qPCR-detected Schistosoma DNA in any of 3 genital specimens). RESULTS The presence and concentration of key cervicovaginal species did not differ between participants with (n = 30) or without FGS (n = 158). A higher proportion of participants with FGS had T. vaginalis compared with FGS-negative women (P = .08), with further analysis showing that T. vaginalis was more prevalent among women with ≥2 Schistosoma qPCR-positive genital specimens (50.0%, 8/16) than among FGS-negative women (21.5%, 34/158; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS We found weak evidence of an association between the presence of T. vaginalis and FGS, with a stronger association in women with a higher-burden FGS infection. Additional research is needed on potential between-parasite interactions, especially regarding HIV-1 vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lisa Himschoot
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Joyce Mapani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Maina Mudenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Eyrun F Kjetland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology, and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Richard J Hayes
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Suzanna C Francis
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Virology, Parasitology, and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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25
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Camprubí-Ferrer D, Romero L, Van Esbroeck M, Wammes LJ, Almuedo-Riera A, Rodriguez-Valero N, Balerdi-Sarasola L, Hoekstra PT, Subirà C, Valls ME, Micalessi I, Corstjens P, Cortes-Serra N, Huyse T, Benegas M, Álvarez-Martínez MJ, Muñoz J, van Lieshout L. Improving the diagnosis and management of acute schistosomiasis with antibody, antigen and molecular techniques: lessons from a cluster of six travellers. J Travel Med 2021; 28:6316243. [PMID: 34230958 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab101] [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] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Different diagnostic tests were evaluated in a cluster of six European travellers with acute schistosomiasis (AS) acquired in Mozambique. Adult worm and soluble egg antibodies, circulating anodic antigen (CAA) and DNA detection allowed early confirmation of AS. CAA permitted monitoring treatment response and Sm1-7 polymerase chain reaction allowed identification of Schistosoma mansoni complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucía Romero
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp 2000, Belgium
| | - Linda J Wammes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Alex Almuedo-Riera
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | | | | | - Pytsje T Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Carme Subirà
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Micalessi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp 2000, Belgium
| | - Paul Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Nuria Cortes-Serra
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren 3080, Belgium
| | - Mariana Benegas
- Radiology Department, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | | | - Jose Muñoz
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
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Hoekstra PT, van Dam GJ, van Lieshout L. Context-Specific Procedures for the Diagnosis of Human Schistosomiasis – A Mini Review. Front Trop Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.722438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by trematode blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, affecting over 250 million people mainly in the tropics. Clinically, the disease can present itself with acute symptoms, a stage which is relatively more common in naive travellers originating from non-endemic regions. It can also develop into chronic disease, with the outcome depending on the Schistosoma species involved, the duration and intensity of infection and several host-related factors. A range of diagnostic tests is available to determine Schistosoma infection, including microscopy, antibody detection, antigen detection using the Point-Of-Care Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) test and the Up-Converting Particle Lateral Flow Circulating Anodic Antigen (UCP-LF CAA) test, as well as Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) such as real-time PCR. In this mini review, we discuss these different diagnostic procedures and explore their most appropriate use in context-specific settings. With regard to endemic settings, diagnostic approaches are described based on their suitability for individual diagnosis, monitoring control programs, determining elimination as a public health problem and eventual interruption of transmission. For non-endemic settings, we summarize the most suitable diagnostic approaches for imported cases, either acute or chronic. Additionally, diagnostic options for disease-specific clinical presentations such as genital schistosomiasis and neuro-schistosomiasis are included. Finally, the specific role of diagnostic tests within research settings is described, including a controlled human schistosomiasis infection model and several clinical studies. In conclusion, context-specific settings have different requirements for a diagnostic test, stressing the importance of a well-considered decision of the most suitable diagnostic procedure.
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Sturt AS, Webb EL, Phiri CR, Mudenda M, Mapani J, Kosloff B, Cheeba M, Shanaube K, Bwalya J, Kjetland EF, Francis SC, Corstjens PLAM, van Dam GJ, van Lieshout L, Hansingo I, Ayles H, Hayes RJ, Bustinduy AL. Female Genital Schistosomiasis and HIV-1 Incidence in Zambian Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab349. [PMID: 34337098 PMCID: PMC8320261 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab349] [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: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) has been associated with prevalent HIV-1. We estimated the incidence of HIV-1 infection in Zambian women with and without FGS. Methods Women (aged 18–31, nonpregnant, sexually active) were invited to participate in this study in January–August 2018 at the final follow-up of the HPTN 071 (PopART) Population Cohort. HIV-1-negative participants at enrollment (n = 492) were included in this analysis, with testing to confirm incident HIV-1 performed in HPTN 071 (PopART). The association of incident HIV-1 infection with FGS (Schistosoma DNA detected by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] in any genital specimen) was assessed with exact Poisson regression. Results Incident HIV-1 infections were observed in 4.1% (20/492) of participants. Women with FGS were twice as likely to seroconvert as women without FGS but with no statistical evidence for a difference (adjusted rate ratio, 2.16; 95% CI, 0.21–12.30; P = .33). Exploratory analysis suggested an association with HIV-1 acquisition among women with ≥2 positive genital PCR specimens (rate ratio, 6.02; 95% CI, 0.58–34.96; P = .13). Conclusions Despite higher HIV seroconversion rates in women with FGS, there was no statistical evidence of association, possibly due to low power. Further longitudinal studies should investigate this association in a setting with higher schistosomiasis endemicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Maina Mudenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Joyce Mapani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Barry Kosloff
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | - Eyrun F Kjetland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Discipline of Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Discipline of Public Health, Durban, South Africa
| | - Suzanna C Francis
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Richard J Hayes
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Hoekstra PT, van Esbroeck M, de Dood CJ, Corstjens PL, Cnops L, van Zeijl-van der Ham CJ, Wammes LJ, van Dam GJ, Clerinx J, van Lieshout L. Early diagnosis and follow-up of acute schistosomiasis in a cluster of infected Belgian travellers by detection of antibodies and circulating anodic antigen (CAA): A diagnostic evaluation study. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 41:102053. [PMID: 33823289 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of schistosome circulating anodic antigen (CAA) detection, serum and urine CAA-levels were determined in a single cluster of 34 Belgian tourists at three timepoints within a period of 14 weeks following proven Schistosoma exposure in South Africa and compared with two in-house antibody assays. METHODS Samples were collected 4-5 and 7-8 weeks post-exposure and subsequently 5-6 weeks following praziquantel treatment. Schistosoma antibodies were detected by an adult worm antigen-immunofluorescence assay (AWA-IFA) and a soluble egg antigen-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA-ELISA), while CAA concentrations were determined by the Up-Converting reporter Particle labelled Lateral Flow (UCP-LF) test. RESULTS Antibodies were detected in 25/34 (73%) travellers pre-treatment and in 27/34 (79%) post-treatment, with the AWA-IFA showing better performance than the SEA-ELISA. Pre-treatment, CAA was detected in 13/34 (38%) and 33/34 (97%) of the travellers in urine and serum, respectively. Post-treatment, all except one traveller became serum CAA negative. This in contrast to the detected antibodies, as well as the previously reported diagnostic results of this cluster. CONCLUSIONS The UCP-LF CAA serum assay has been demonstrated as the most sensitive method for the diagnosis of early Schistosoma infections and post-treatment monitoring in travellers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pytsje T Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Marjan van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Claudia J de Dood
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paul Lam Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lieselotte Cnops
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Linda J Wammes
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Clerinx
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Tamarozzi F, Ursini T, Hoekstra PT, Silva R, Costa C, Gobbi F, Monteiro GB, Motta L, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PL, van Lieshout L, Buonfrate D. Evaluation of microscopy, serology, circulating anodic antigen (CAA), and eosinophil counts for the follow-up of migrants with chronic schistosomiasis: a prospective cohort study. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:149. [PMID: 33750443 PMCID: PMC7941883 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04655-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An accurate test for the diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up of patients with schistosomiasis is needed. We assessed the performance of different laboratory parameters, including the up-converting reporter particle technology lateral flow assay to detect circulating anodic antigen (UCP-LF CAA), for the post-treatment follow-up of schistosomiasis in migrants attending a dedicated outpatient clinic in a non-endemic country. Methods Routine anti-Schistosoma serology results and eosinophil counts were obtained of patients with positive urine/stool microscopy and/or PCR (confirmed cases) or only positive serology (possible cases), and at least one follow-up visit at 6 (T6) or 12 (T12) months after praziquantel treatment. All sera samples were tested with the UCP-LF CAA assay. Results Forty-eight patients were included, 23 confirmed and 25 possible cases. The percentage seropositivity and median antibody titers did not change significantly during follow-up. UCP-LF CAA was positive in 86.9% of confirmed and 20% of possible cases. The percentage positivity and median CAA levels decreased significantly post-treatment, with only two patients having positive CAA levels at T12. Conclusions The UCP-LF CAA assay proved useful for the diagnosis of active infection with Schistosoma spp. and highly valuable for post-treatment monitoring in migrants, encouraging the development of a commercial test.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Viale Luigi Rizzardi 4, 37024, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Tamara Ursini
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Viale Luigi Rizzardi 4, 37024, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Pytsje T Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ronaldo Silva
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Viale Luigi Rizzardi 4, 37024, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Cecilia Costa
- Dipartimento medico di malattie infettive, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Viale Luigi Rizzardi 4, 37024, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Gerardo B Monteiro
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Viale Luigi Rizzardi 4, 37024, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Leonardo Motta
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L Corstjens
- Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Viale Luigi Rizzardi 4, 37024, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy.
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Sturt AS, Webb EL, Patterson C, Phiri CR, Mweene T, Kjetland EF, Mudenda M, Mapani J, Mutengo MM, Chipeta J, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Ayles H, Hayes RJ, Hansingo I, Cools P, van Lieshout L, Helmby H, McComsey GA, Francis SC, Bustinduy AL. Cervicovaginal Immune Activation in Zambian Women With Female Genital Schistosomiasis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:620657. [PMID: 33737927 PMCID: PMC7961922 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.620657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 infection disproportionately affects women in sub-Saharan Africa, where areas of high HIV-1 prevalence and Schistosoma haematobium endemicity largely overlap. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), an inflammatory disease caused by S. haematobium egg deposition in the genital tract, has been associated with prevalent HIV-1 infection. Elevated levels of the chemokines MIP-1α (CCL-3), MIP-1β (CCL-4), IP-10 (CXCL-10), and IL-8 (CXCL-8) in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) have been associated with HIV-1 acquisition. We hypothesize that levels of cervicovaginal cytokines may be raised in FGS and could provide a causal mechanism for the association between FGS and HIV-1. In the cross-sectional BILHIV study, specimens were collected from 603 female participants who were aged 18–31 years, sexually active, not pregnant and participated in the HPTN 071 (PopART) HIV-1 prevention trial in Zambia. Participants self-collected urine, and vaginal and cervical swabs, while CVLs were clinically obtained. Microscopy and Schistosoma circulating anodic antigen (CAA) were performed on urine. Genital samples were examined for parasite-specific DNA by PCR. Women with FGS (n=28), defined as a positive Schistosoma PCR from any genital sample were frequency age-matched with 159 FGS negative (defined as negative Schistosoma PCR, urine CAA, urine microscopy, and colposcopy imaging) women. Participants with probable FGS (n=25) (defined as the presence of either urine CAA or microscopy in combination with one of four clinical findings suggestive of FGS on colposcope-obtained photographs) were also included, for a total sample size of 212. The concentrations of 17 soluble cytokines and chemokines were quantified by a multiplex bead-based immunoassay. There was no difference in the concentrations of cytokines or chemokines between participants with and without FGS. An exploratory analysis of those women with a higher FGS burden, defined by ≥2 genital specimens with detectable Schistosoma DNA (n=15) showed, after adjusting for potential confounders, a higher Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and pro-inflammatory (IL-15) expression pattern in comparison to FGS negative women, with differences unlikely to be due to chance (p=0.037 for IL-4 and p<0.001 for IL-5 after adjusting for multiple testing). FGS may alter the female genital tract immune environment, but larger studies in areas of varying endemicity are needed to evaluate the association with HIV-1 vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Catriona Patterson
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Eyrun F Kjetland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,University of KwaZulu-Natal, Discipline of Public Health, Durban, South Africa
| | - Maina Mudenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Joyce Mapani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Mable M Mutengo
- Institute of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - James Chipeta
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Richard J Hayes
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Piet Cools
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Helena Helmby
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grace A McComsey
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University, Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Suzanna C Francis
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Casacuberta-Partal M, Beenakker M, de Dood C, Hoekstra P, Kroon L, Kornelis D, Corstjens P, Hokke CH, van Dam G, Roestenberg M, van Lieshout L. Specificity of the Point-of-Care Urine Strip Test for Schistosoma Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) Tested in Non-Endemic Pregnant Women and Young Children. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1412-1417. [PMID: 33534739 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The point-of-care urine based strip test for the detection of circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) in schistosome infections is a frequently used tool for diagnosis and mapping of Schistosoma mansoni in school-aged children. Because of its ease of use, the test is increasingly applied to adults and preschool-aged children (PSAC), but its performance has not been specifically evaluated in these target groups. Recent observations have raised concerns about possible reduced specificity, in particular in pregnant women (PW) and PSAC. We thus explored specificity of the POC-CCA urine strip test (Rapid Medical Diagnostics, Pretoria, South Africa) in a non-endemic, nonexposed population of 47 healthy nonpregnant adults (NPAs), 52 PW, and 58 PSAC. A total of 157 urines were tested with POC-CCA, of which five (10.6%) NPAs, 17 (32.7%) PW, and 27 (46.5%) PSAC were positive. The highest scores were found in the youngest babies, with an infant of 9 months being the oldest positive case. On measuring pH, it appeared that all POC-CCA strongly positive urines were acidic (pH range 5-5.5), whereas addition of pH-neutral buffer to a subsample reversed the false positivity. We conclude that the POC-CCA test has reduced specificity in PW and infants younger than 9 months, but that the false positivity might be eliminated by modifications in the buffers used in the test.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margreet Beenakker
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia de Dood
- 2Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pytsje Hoekstra
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Kroon
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke Kornelis
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Corstjens
- 2Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert van Dam
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,3Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Gelaye W, Williams NA, Kepha S, Junior AM, Fleitas PE, Marti-Soler H, Damtie D, Menkir S, Krolewiecki AJ, van Lieshout L, Enbiale W. Performance evaluation of Baermann techniques: The quest for developing a microscopy reference standard for the diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009076. [PMID: 33600434 PMCID: PMC7891789 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are common in low and middle income countries where there is lack of access to clean water and sanitation. Effective diagnosis and treatment are essential for the control of STH infections. However, among STH parasites, Strongyloides stercoralis is the most neglected species, both in diagnostics and control strategies. Diagnostic methods cover different approaches, each with different sensitivities and specificities, such as serology, molecular techniques and microscopy based techniques. Of the later, the Baermann technique is the most commonly used procedure. In the literature, several ways have been described to perform the Baermann method, which illustrates the overall lack of a '(gold) reference standard' method for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection. In this study we have evaluated the performance of three Baermann techniques in order to improve the reference standard for the microscopic diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection thereby facilitating individual case detection, mapping of the disease and proper evaluation of treatment responses. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A community based cross sectional study was conducted at Zenzelima, Bahir Dar Zuria Ethiopia. A total of 437 stool samples were collected and analyzed by the following procedures: conventional Baermann (CB), modified Baermann (MB), and modified Baermann with charcoal pre-incubation (MBCI). The diagnostic sensitivity and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of each technique was calculated using the combination of all the three techniques as a composite reference standard. Our result indicated that larvae of S. stercoralis were detected in 151 (34.6%) stool samples. The prevalence of S. stercoralis infection based on the three diagnostic methods was 9.6%, 8.0%, and 31.3% by CB, MB, and MBCI respectively. The sensitivity and NPV for CB, MB, and MBCI were 26.7% and 70.8%, 22.1% and 69.6%, and 87.0% and 93.2%, respectively. The MBCI showed significant difference (P- value = <0.001) in the sensitivity and NPV values when compared with CB and MB values. The agreement between CB, MB, and MBCI with the composite reference standard was 31.8%, 26.7%, 89.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest the superior performance of MBCI. It is relatively easy to implement, simple to perform and comparatively cheaper. The CB is by far the commonly used method in routine diagnostic although this technique significantly underestimates the true burden of the disease and thereby contributing to the exclusion of S. stercoralis from the control strategies. Therefore, MBCI is recommended as a routine microscopy-based diagnostic test for S. stercoralis infection, particularly in settings where molecular procedures are not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woyneshet Gelaye
- Bahir Dar University, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Nana Aba Williams
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stella Kepha
- Kenya Medical Research Institution, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Pedro Emanuel Fleitas
- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales/CONICET, Oran, Salta, Argentina
| | - Helena Marti-Soler
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Destaw Damtie
- Bahir Dar University, College of Science, Department of Biology, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Sissay Menkir
- Bahir Dar University, College of Science, Department of Biology, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Alejandro J. Krolewiecki
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
- Universidad Nacional de Salta, Instituto de Investigaciones de Enfermedades Tropicales/CONICET, Oran, Salta, Argentina
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wendemagegn Enbiale
- Bahir Dar University, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Casacuberta-Partal M, Janse JJ, van Schuijlenburg R, de Vries JJC, Erkens MAA, Suijk K, van Aalst M, Maas JJ, Grobusch MP, van Genderen PJJ, de Dood C, Corstjens PLAM, van Dam GJ, van Lieshout L, Roestenberg M. Antigen-based diagnosis of Schistosoma infection in travellers: a prospective study. J Travel Med 2020; 27:5822102. [PMID: 32307517 PMCID: PMC7359925 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taaa055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travellers infected with Schistosoma spp. might be pauci- or even asymptomatic on first presentation. Therefore, schistosomiasis may remain undiagnosed in this population. Active infection, as evidenced by the presence of the tissue-dwelling worm, can be demonstrated via the detection of adult worm-derived circulating anodic antigen (CAA) utilising a robust well-described lateral flow-(LF) based test applying background-free up-converting reporter particles (UCP). In this prospective study, we assessed the diagnostic value of serum and urine UCP-LF CAA test in comparison with two Schistosoma-specific serological assays detecting antibodies against adult worm antigen-immuno fluorescence assay (AWA-IFA) and against soluble egg antigen-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA-ELISA) antigens in travellers. METHODS Samples were collected from 106 Dutch travellers who reported freshwater contact in sub-Saharan Africa and who were recruited up to 2 years after return. Subjects were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire on travel history, water contact, signs and symptoms compatible with schistosomiasis. RESULTS Two travellers were positive by serum CAA and an additional one by urine CAA. A total of 22/106 (21%) samples were antibody positive by AWA-IFA and 9/106 (9%) by SEA-ELISA. At follow-up 6 weeks and 6 months after praziquantel treatment, all seropositives remained antibody positive whereas CAA was cleared. Seropositivity could not be predicted by the type of fresh water-related activity, country visited or symptoms reported. CONCLUSION The low number of UCP-LF CAA positives suggests that in travellers, active infections often do not establish or have very low worm burden. Based on our high seroconversion rates, we conclude that the AWA-IFA assay is the most sensitive test to detect schistosome exposure. Given the lack of predictive symptoms or risk factors, we recommend schistosomiasis screening at least by serology in all travellers with reported freshwater contact in high-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Casacuberta-Partal
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roos van Schuijlenburg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jutte J C de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne A A Erkens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kitty Suijk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle van Aalst
- Centre of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap J Maas
- Occupational Health and Safety Service, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Centre of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Perry J J van Genderen
- Institute for Tropical Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia de Dood
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Hoogerwerf MA, Koopman JPR, Janse JJ, Langenberg MCC, van Schuijlenburg R, Kruize YCM, Brienen EAT, Manurung MD, Verbeek-Menken P, van der Beek MT, Westra IM, Meij P, Visser LG, van Lieshout L, de Vlas SJ, Yazdanbakhsh M, Coffeng LE, Roestenberg M. A Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate Safety and Variability of Egg Excretion After Repeated Controlled Human Hookworm Infection. J Infect Dis 2020; 223:905-913. [PMID: 32645714 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Controlled human hookworm infections could significantly contribute to the development of a hookworm vaccine. However, current models are hampered by low and unstable egg output, reducing generalizability and increasing sample sizes. This study aims to investigate the safety, tolerability, and egg output of repeated exposure to hookworm larvae. METHODS Twenty-four healthy volunteers were randomized, double-blindly, to 1, 2, or 3 doses of 50 Necator americanus L3 larvae at 2-week intervals. Volunteers were monitored weekly and were treated with albendazole at week 20. RESULTS There was no association between larval dose and number or severity of adverse events. Geometric mean egg loads stabilized at 697, 1668, and 1914 eggs per gram feces for the 1 × 50L3, 2 × 50L3, and 3 × 50L3 group, respectively. Bayesian statistical modeling showed that egg count variability relative to the mean was reduced with a second infectious dose; however, the third dose did not increase egg load or decrease variability. We therefore suggest 2 × 50L3 as an improved challenge dose. Model-based simulations indicates increased frequency of stool sampling optimizes the power of hypothetical vaccine trials. CONCLUSIONS Repeated infection with hookworm larvae increased egg counts to levels comparable to the field and reduced relative variability in egg output without aggravating adverse events. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT03257072.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Pieter R Koopman
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Yvonne C M Kruize
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mikhael D Manurung
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Petra Verbeek-Menken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Martha T van der Beek
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Inge M Westra
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Pauline Meij
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sake J de Vlas
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Luc E Coffeng
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Sturt AS, Webb EL, Phiri CR, Mweene T, Chola N, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Wessels E, Stothard JR, Hayes R, Ayles H, Hansingo I, van Lieshout L, Bustinduy AL. Genital self-sampling compared with cervicovaginal lavage for the diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis in Zambian women: The BILHIV study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008337. [PMID: 32663222 PMCID: PMC7360036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the potentially causal association of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) with HIV-1 infection, improved diagnostics are urgently needed to scale-up FGS surveillance. The BILHIV (bilharzia and HIV) study assessed the performance of home-based self-collection methods (cervical and vaginal swabs) compared to cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) for the detection of Schistosoma DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS Between January and August 2018, a consecutive series of female participants from the Population-Cohort of the previous HIV prevention trial HPTN 071 (PopART), resident in Livingstone, Zambia were invited to take part in BILHIV if they were 18-31 years old, non-pregnant and sexually active. Genital self-collected swabs and a urine specimen were obtained and a questionnaire completed at home visits. CVL was obtained at clinic follow-up. RESULTS 603 women self-collected genital swabs. Of these, 527 women had CVL performed by a mid-wife during clinic follow-up. Schistosoma DNA was more frequently detected in genital self-collected specimens (24/603, 4.0%) compared to CVL (14/527, 2.7%). Overall, 5.0% (30/603) women had female genital schistosomiasis, defined as a positive PCR by any genital sampling method (cervical swab PCR, vaginal swab PCR, or CVL PCR) and 95% (573/603) did not have a positive genital PCR. The sensitivity of any positive genital self-collected swab against CVL was 57.1% (95% CI 28.9-82.3%), specificity 97.3% (95.5-98.5%). In a subset of participants with active schistosome infection, determined by detectable urine Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA) (15.1%, 91/601), positive PCR (4.3%, 26/601), or positive microscopy (5.5%, 33/603), the sensitivity of any positive self-collected specimen against CVL was 88.9% (51.8-99.7%). CONCLUSIONS Genital self-sampling increased the overall number of PCR-based FGS diagnoses in a field setting, compared with CVL. Home-based sampling may represent a scalable alternative method for FGS community-based diagnosis in endemic resource limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S. Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L. Webb
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Els Wessels
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Hayes
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya L. Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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36
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Cools P, van Lieshout L, Koelewijn R, Addiss D, Ajjampur SSR, Ayana M, Bradbury RS, Cantera JL, Dana D, Fischer K, Imtiaz R, Kabagenyi J, Lok J, McCarthy J, Mejia R, Mekonnen Z, Njenga SM, Othman N, Shao H, Traub R, Van Esbroeck M, Vercruysse J, Vlaminck J, Williams SA, Verweij JJ, van Hellemond JJ, Levecke B. First international external quality assessment scheme of nucleic acid amplification tests for the detection of Schistosoma and soil-transmitted helminths, including Strongyloides: A pilot study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008231. [PMID: 32544158 PMCID: PMC7319349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are increasingly being used as diagnostic tools for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs; Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and A. ceylanicum), Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma in human stool. Currently, there is a large diversity of NAATs being applied, but an external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) for these diagnostics is lacking. An EQAS involves a blinded process where test results reported by a laboratory are compared to those reported by reference or expert laboratories, allowing for an objective assessment of the diagnostic performance of a laboratory. In the current study, we piloted an international EQAS for these helminths (i) to investigate the feasibility of designing and delivering an EQAS; (ii) to assess the diagnostic performance of laboratories; and (iii) to gain insights into the different NAAT protocols used. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A panel of twelve stool samples and eight DNA samples was validated by six expert laboratories for the presence of six helminths (Ascaris, Trichuris, N. americanus, Ancylostoma, Strongyloides and Schistosoma). Subsequently this panel was sent to 15 globally dispersed laboratories. We found a high degree of diversity among the different DNA extraction and NAAT protocols. Although most laboratories performed well, we could clearly identify the laboratories that were poorly performing. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We showed the technical feasibility of an international EQAS for the NAAT of STHs, Strongyloides and Schistosoma. In addition, we documented that there are clear benefits for participating laboratories, as they can confirm and/or improve the diagnostic performance of their NAATs. Further research should aim to identify factors that explain poor performance of NAATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piet Cools
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Dutch Foundation for Quality Assessment in Medical Laboratories, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Koelewijn
- Dutch Foundation for Quality Assessment in Medical Laboratories, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Addiss
- The Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | | | - Richard S. Bradbury
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | | | - Kerstin Fischer
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Rubina Imtiaz
- Children Without Worms, Decatur, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Joyce Kabagenyi
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - James Lok
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James McCarthy
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Rojelio Mejia
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Hongguang Shao
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | | | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Steven A. Williams
- Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States of America
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Jaap J. van Hellemond
- Dutch Foundation for Quality Assessment in Medical Laboratories, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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37
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Gobbi F, Tamarozzi F, Buonfrate D, van Lieshout L, Bisoffi Z, Bottieau E. New Insights on Acute and Chronic Schistosomiasis: Do We Need a Redefinition? Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:660-667. [PMID: 32505540 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A precise timeframe to differentiate acute schistosomiasis (AS) and chronic schistosomiasis (CS) is not well defined. Based on recent published literature, lung nodular lesions in AS and CS seem to have the same pathophysiology, that is, eggs laid in situ by adult worms, during an ectopic migration. Moreover, the occurrence of lung nodules due to clusters of eggs and the systemic immunoallergic reaction of AS (Katayama syndrome) may be two separate clinical entities, which may overlap during the early phase of infection. Consequently, the classical distinction between AS and CS loses much of its conceptual validity. If adult worms play a more important role in the early phase of the disease the clinical management of AS should probably be revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar (Verona), Italy.
| | - Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar (Verona), Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar (Verona), Italy
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar (Verona), Italy; Università degli Studi di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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38
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Hoogerwerf MA, Coffeng LE, Brienen EAT, Janse JJ, Langenberg MCC, Kruize YCM, Gootjes C, Manurung MD, Dekker M, Becker L, Erkens MAA, van der Beek MT, Ganesh MS, Feijt C, Winkel BMF, Westra IM, Meij P, Loukas A, Visser LG, de Vlas SJ, Yazdanbakhsh M, van Lieshout L, Roestenberg M. New Insights Into the Kinetics and Variability of Egg Excretion in Controlled Human Hookworm Infections. J Infect Dis 2020; 220:1044-1048. [PMID: 31077279 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz218] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Four healthy volunteers were infected with 50 Necator americanus infective larvae (L3) in a controlled human hookworm infection trial and followed for 52 weeks. The kinetics of fecal egg counts in volunteers was assessed with Bayesian multilevel analysis, which revealed an increase between weeks 7 and 13, followed by an egg density plateau of about 1000 eggs/g of feces. Variation in egg counts was minimal between same-day measurements but varied considerably between days, particularly during the plateau phase. These analyses pave the way for the controlled human hookworm model to accelerate drug and vaccine efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luc E Coffeng
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | | | | | - Yvonne C M Kruize
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | - Chelsea Gootjes
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | | | - Mark Dekker
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns
| | | | | | - Munisha S Ganesh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | - Carola Feijt
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | | | - Inge M Westra
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | - Pauline Meij
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
| | - Sake J de Vlas
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden
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Zijlstra EE, van Hellemond JJ, Moes AD, de Boer C, Boeschoten SA, van Blijswijk CEM, van der Vuurst de Vries RM, Bailey PAB, Kampondeni S, van Lieshout L, Smits SL, Katchanov J, Mkandawire NM, Rothe C. Nontraumatic Myelopathy in Malawi: A Prospective Study in an Area with High HIV Prevalence. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:451-457. [PMID: 31837130 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0209] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Nontraumatic myelopathy causes severe morbidity and is not uncommon in Africa. Clinically, patients often present with paraplegia, and extrinsic cord compression and transverse myelitis are most common causes. Data on exact pathogenesis are scanty because of limitations in diagnostic methods. In Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi, we recorded consecutive patients presenting with nontraumatic paraplegia for maximally 6 months between January and July 2010 and from March to December 2011. The diagnostic workup included imaging and examining blood, stool, urine, sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples for infection. After discharge, additional diagnostic tests, including screening for virus infections, borreliosis, syphilis, and schistosomiasis, were carried out in the Netherlands. The clinical diagnosis was, thus, revised in retrospect with a more accurate final differential diagnosis. Of 58 patients included, the mean age was 41 years (range, 12-83 years) and the median time between onset and presentation was 18 days (range, 0-121 days), and of 55 patients tested, 23 (42%) were HIV positive. Spinal tuberculosis (n = 24, 41%), tumors (n = 16, 28%), and transverse myelitis (n = 6, 10%) were most common; in six cases (10%), no diagnosis could be made. The additional tests yielded evidence for CSF infection with Schistosoma, Treponema pallidum, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HHV-6, HIV, as well as a novel cyclovirus. The diagnosis of the cause of paraplegia is complex and requires access to an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and other diagnostic (molecular) tools to demonstrate infection. The major challenge is to confirm the role of detected pathogens in the pathophysiology and to design an effective and affordable diagnostic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur D Moes
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christa de Boer
- Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Health Service Zuid-Holland Zuid, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shelley A Boeschoten
- Erasmus University Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia L Smits
- Viroclinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam Science Tower, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juri Katchanov
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, LMU University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Camilla Rothe
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
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40
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Amoah AS, Hoekstra PT, Casacuberta-Partal M, Coffeng LE, Corstjens PLAM, Greco B, van Lieshout L, Lim MD, Markwalter CF, Odiere MR, Reinhard-Rupp J, Roestenberg M, Stothard R, Tchuem Tchuenté LA, de Vlas SJ, van Dam GJ. Sensitive diagnostic tools and targeted drug administration strategies are needed to eliminate schistosomiasis. Lancet Infect Dis 2020; 20:e165-e172. [PMID: 32595046 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30254-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although preventive chemotherapy has been instrumental in reducing schistosomiasis incidence worldwide, serious challenges remain. These problems include the omission of certain groups from campaigns of mass drug administration, the existence of persistent disease hotspots, and the risk of recrudescent infections. Central to these challenges is the fact that the diagnostic tools currently used to establish the burden of infection are not sensitive enough, especially in low-endemic settings, which results in underestimation of the true prevalence of active Schistosoma spp infections. This central issue necessitates that the current schistosomiasis control strategies recommended by WHO are re-evaluated and, possibly, adapted. More targeted interventions and novel approaches have been used to estimate the prevalence of schistosomiasis, such as establishing infection burden by use of precision mapping, which provides high resolution spatial information that delineates variations in prevalence within a defined geographical area. Such information is instrumental in guiding targeted intervention campaigns. However, the need for highly accurate diagnostic tools in such strategies is a crucial factor that is often neglected. The availability of highly sensitive diagnostic tests also opens up the possibility of applying strategies of sample pooling to reduce the cost of control programmes. To interrupt the transmission of, and eventually eliminate, schistosomiasis, better local targeting of preventive chemotherapy, in combination with highly sensitive diagnostic tools, is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abena S Amoah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands; Department of Population Health, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Chilumba, Malawi
| | - Pytsje T Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
| | | | - Luc E Coffeng
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mark D Lim
- Global Health Division, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA; Global Public Health Programs, American Society for Microbiology, Washington DC, USA
| | - Christine F Markwalter
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Maurice R Odiere
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands; Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Sake J de Vlas
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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41
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Hoekstra PT, Casacuberta-Partal M, van Lieshout L, Corstjens PLAM, Tsonaka R, Assaré RK, Silué KD, Meité A, N’Goran EK, N’Gbesso YK, Amoah AS, Roestenberg M, Knopp S, Utzinger J, Coulibaly JT, van Dam GJ. Efficacy of single versus four repeated doses of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni infection in school-aged children from Côte d'Ivoire based on Kato-Katz and POC-CCA: An open-label, randomised controlled trial (RePST). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008189. [PMID: 32196506 PMCID: PMC7112237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) is the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control. However, a single dose of PZQ (40 mg/kg) does not cure all infections. Repeated doses of PZQ at short intervals might increase efficacy in terms of cure rate (CR) and intensity reduction rate (IRR). Here, we determined the efficacy of a single versus four repeated treatments with PZQ on Schistosoma mansoni infection in school-aged children from Côte d’Ivoire, using two different diagnostic tests. Methods An open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019. School-aged children with a confirmed S. mansoni infection based on Kato-Katz (KK) and point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) urine cassette test were randomly assigned to receive either a single or four repeated doses of PZQ, administered at two-week intervals. The primary outcome was the difference in CR between the two treatment arms, measured by triplicate KK thick smears 10 weeks after the first treatment. Secondary outcomes included CR estimated by POC-CCA, IRR by KK and POC-CCA, and safety of repeated PZQ administration. Principal findings During baseline screening, 1,022 children were assessed for eligibility of whom 153 (15%) had a detectable S. mansoni infection, and hence, were randomized to the standard treatment group (N = 70) and the intense treatment group (N = 83). Based on KK, the CR was 42% (95% confidence interval (CI) 31–52%) in the standard treatment group and 86% (95% CI 75–92%) in the intense treatment group. Observed IRR was 72% (95% CI 55–83%) in the standard treatment group and 95% (95% CI 85–98%) in the intense treatment group. The CR estimated by POC-CCA was 18% (95% CI 11–27%) and 36% (95% CI 26–46%) in the standard and intense treatment group, respectively. Repeated PZQ treatment did not result in a higher number of adverse events. Conclusion/significance The observed CR using KK was significantly higher after four repeated treatments compared to a single treatment, without an increase in adverse events. Using POC-CCA, the observed CR was significantly lower than measured by KK, indicating that PZQ may be considerably less efficacious as concluded by KK. Our findings highlight the need for reliable and more accurate diagnostic tools, which are essential for monitoring treatment efficacy, identifying changes in transmission, and accurately quantifying the intensity of infection in distinct populations. In addition, the higher CR in the intense treatment group suggests that more focused and intense PZQ treatment can help to advance schistosomiasis control. Trial registration www.clinicaltrials.govNCT02868385. The previously established efficacy of the widely used drug praziquantel (PZQ) against schistosomiasis might have been overestimated due to the use of inaccurate diagnostic methods. Repeated PZQ treatment at short intervals in areas with ongoing transmission could more effectively target non-susceptible schistosomula as they will have matured into drug susceptible worms within a few weeks. In the current study, we aimed to determine the cure rate (CR) of repeated PZQ, measured by the Kato-Katz (KK) technique and the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test, respectively. An open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted assigning 153 school-aged children with a confirmed Schistosoma mansoni infection to two groups, one receiving a single PZQ treatment, while the second group received four repeated PZQ treatments, given at two-week intervals. Based on the KK test, the CR was significantly higher after four repeated treatments compared to a single treatment. When using POC-CCA, a diagnostic method that has not been utilized before in studies assessing the efficacy of four repeated PZQ treatments, the CR was much lower, even after four repeated PZQ treatments. Our results indicate that worms are still present after multiple PZQ treatments and that PZQ might be less efficacious than previously published.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pytsje T. Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Roula Tsonaka
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rufin K. Assaré
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kigbafori D. Silué
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Aboulaye Meité
- Programme National de Lutte contre les Maladies Tropicales Négligées à Chimiothérapie Préventive, Ministère de la Santé et de l’Hygiène Publique, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Eliézer K. N’Goran
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Yves K. N’Gbesso
- Département d’Agboville, Centre de Santé Urbain d’Azaguié, Azaguié, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Abena S. Amoah
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Population Health, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Chilumba, Karonge District, Malawi
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean T. Coulibaly
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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42
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Casacuberta-Partal M, Hoekstra PT, Kornelis D, van Lieshout L, van Dam GJ. An innovative and user-friendly scoring system for standardised quantitative interpretation of the urine-based point-of-care strip test (POC-CCA) for the diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis: a proof-of-concept study. Acta Trop 2019; 199:105150. [PMID: 31425672 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The point-of-care strip assay for the detection of the schistosome Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) in urine has shown to be a user-friendly and sensitive alternative to stool microscopy for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infections. However, visual scoring of the test is by definition observer dependent and leads to discussion about the qualitative interpretation, in particular in low intensity infections when test lines tend to be weak. In order to standardise visual scoring, an innovative approach for semi-quantitative interpretation of the POC-CCA cassettes, called G-scores, was developed and evaluated. Urines (n = 110) from a S. mansoni endemic area were used to evaluate this new approach. Test lines of the POC-CCA were visually compared against the G-scores, i.e. a series of artificial cassettes containing inkjet-printed strips of different intensities in order to grade the POC-CCA test line on a scale of 1 to 10. A significant positive correlation (Spearman 0.660, p < 0.001) was observed between G-scores and eggs per gram of faeces. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the usefulness of the G-scores for standardising the visual scoring of the POC-CCA urine strip assay. Several research groups have already indicated an interest in the G-scores for their field work. Further distribution of the cassettes, in particular when provided in combination with reference standards, will assist the wider schistosomiasis community in dealing with issues like batch-to-batch differences and interpretation of trace readings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Casacuberta-Partal
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Pytsje T Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Dieuwke Kornelis
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
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43
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Janse JJ, Langenberg MCC, Kos-Van Oosterhoud J, Ozir-Fazalalikhan A, Brienen EAT, Winkel BMF, Erkens MAA, van der Beek MT, van Lieshout L, Smits HH, Webster BL, Zandvliet ML, Verbeek R, Westra IM, Meij P, Visser LG, van Diepen A, Hokke CH, Yazdanbakhsh M, Roestenberg M. Establishing the Production of Male Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae for a Controlled Human Infection Model. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:1142-1146. [PMID: 29905805 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To accelerate the development of novel vaccines for schistosomiasis, we set out to develop a human model for Schistosoma mansoni infection in healthy volunteers. During natural infections, female schistosomes produce eggs that give rise to morbidity. Therefore, we produced single-sex, male Schistosoma mansoni cercariae for human infection without egg production and associated pathology. Cercariae were produced in their intermediate snail hosts in accordance with the principles of good manufacturing practice (GMP). The application of GMP principles to an unconventional production process is a showcase for the controlled production of complex live challenge material in the European Union or under Food and Drug Administration guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline J Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Béatrice M F Winkel
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Marianne A A Erkens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Martha T van der Beek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | | | - Hermelijn H Smits
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Bonnie L Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maarten L Zandvliet
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Verbeek
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Inge M Westra
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Pauline Meij
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Angela van Diepen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
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44
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Schuurs TA, Koelewijn R, Brienen EAT, Kortbeek T, Mank TG, Mulder B, Stelma FF, van Lieshout L, van Hellemond JJ. Harmonization of PCR-based detection of intestinal pathogens: experiences from the Dutch external quality assessment scheme on molecular diagnosis of protozoa in stool samples. Clin Chem Lab Med 2019; 56:1722-1727. [PMID: 29451859 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2017-1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background:
Real-time PCR methods are increasingly used in routine patient care settings not only to determine the presence or absence of pathogens in patient materials, but also to obtain semiquantitative results to estimate the pathogen load. However, it is so far unknown how well these methods are harmonized among different laboratories.
Methods:
Sets of stool samples were distributed three to four times per year to ca. 25–40 participating laboratories within the European Union as part of an external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) for the detection of gastrointestinal protozoa. This paper presents the results obtained over a 3-year period for Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium species and Dientamoeba fragilis.
Results:
Although both false-positive and false-negative results were reported, the overall sensitivity and specificity were high. The substantial differences in the quantitative output of the real-time PCR assays could be traced back to differences in DNA isolation procedures between different laboratories.
Conclusions:
Participation in an EQAS proved to be important as it provides information on how the real-time PCR methods used by the participant compares to the generally reported results and indicates how procedures could be improved. Semiquantitative results of real-time PCR methods are not exchangeable between laboratories as long as the diagnostic procedures are not harmonized. Intralaboratory comparison of semiquantitative real-time PCR results seems only possible by the use of calibration curves derived from well-validated standards in clinical material and not by spiking solutions with purified DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theo A Schuurs
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Friesland, Izore, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Koelewijn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Titia Kortbeek
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Theo G Mank
- Regional Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Bert Mulder
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Foekje F Stelma
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap J van Hellemond
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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45
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Langenberg MCC, Hoogerwerf MA, Janse JJ, van Lieshout L, Corstjens PLAM, Roestenberg M. Katayama Syndrome Without Schistosoma mansoni Eggs. Ann Intern Med 2019; 170:732-733. [PMID: 30615787 DOI: 10.7326/l18-0438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marijke C C Langenberg
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.C.L., M.H., J.J.J., L.V., P.L.C., M.R.)
| | - Marie-Astrid Hoogerwerf
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.C.L., M.H., J.J.J., L.V., P.L.C., M.R.)
| | - Jacqueline J Janse
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.C.L., M.H., J.J.J., L.V., P.L.C., M.R.)
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.C.L., M.H., J.J.J., L.V., P.L.C., M.R.)
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.C.L., M.H., J.J.J., L.V., P.L.C., M.R.)
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands (M.C.L., M.H., J.J.J., L.V., P.L.C., M.R.)
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46
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Colombe S, Corstjens PLAM, de Dood CJ, Miyaye D, Magawa RG, Mngara J, Kalluvya SE, van Lieshout L, van Dam GJ, Downs JA. HIV-1 Viral Loads Are Not Elevated in Individuals Co-infected With Schistosoma spp. After Adjustment for Duration of HIV-1 Infection. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2005. [PMID: 30237799 PMCID: PMC6135873 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of the role of Schistosoma co-infections on plasma HIV-1 RNA (HIV-1 viral load) have yielded incongruent results. The role of duration of HIV-1 infection on the link between Schistosoma and HIV-1 viral load has not been previously investigated. We aimed to assess the impact of HIV-1/Schistosoma co-infections on viral load in Antiretroviral Treatment (ART)-naïve HIV-1 infected people taking into account the duration of HIV-1 infection. We describe 79 HIV-infected outpatients greater than 18 years of age who had never used ART in Mwanza, Tanzania. Schistosomiasis testing was done by urine and stool microscopy and by serum Schistosoma circulating anodic antigen (CAA) testing. Schistosoma positivity was defined as having either test positive. We conducted univariable and multivariable linear regressions to assess the relationship between Schistosoma infection and the log10 of viral load. Duration of HIV infection was calculated using the first measured CD4+ T-cell (CD4) count as a function of normal CD4 count decay per calendar year in drug naïve individuals. An active Schistosoma infection was demonstrated in 46.8% of the patients. The median log10 viral load was 4.5[3.4–4.9] log10 copies/mL in Schistosoma uninfected patients and 4.3[3.7–4.6] log10 copies/mL in Schistosoma infected patients. Schistosoma co-infection was negatively associated with the log10 of viral load after adjustment for Schistosoma intensity as measured by CAA, CD4 counts at time of testing, and duration of HIV-1 infection (β = −0.7[−1.3;−0.1], p = 0.022). Schistosoma co-infection was not associated with viral load in univariable analysis. There was also no interaction between Schistosoma positivity and duration of HIV-1 infection. Our study is the first, to our knowledge, to report adjustment for duration of HIV-1 infection when analyzing the relationship between HIV-1 viral load and Schistosoma spp. We found that time infected with HIV-1 has a major effect on the relationship between HIV-1 viral load and Schistosoma infection and may be a critical explanatory factor in the disparate findings of studies on HIV-1 viral load and schistosomiasis. The log10 viral load difference found indicates that Schistosoma co-infection does not make HIV progression worse, and could possibly lead to slower HIV disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Colombe
- Department of Medicine, Center for Global Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Claudia J de Dood
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Donald Miyaye
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Ruth G Magawa
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Julius Mngara
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jennifer A Downs
- Department of Medicine, Center for Global Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Medicine, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
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47
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van Grootveld R, van Dam GJ, de Dood C, de Vries JJC, Visser LG, Corstjens PLAM, van Lieshout L. Improved diagnosis of active Schistosoma infection in travellers and migrants using the ultra-sensitive in-house lateral flow test for detection of circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in serum. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 37:1709-1716. [PMID: 29974279 PMCID: PMC6133035 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-018-3303-x] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting over 250 million people in the tropics. In non-endemic regions, imported Schistosoma infections are commonly diagnosed by serology, but based on antibody detection an active infection cannot be distinguished from a cured infection and it may take more than 8 weeks after exposure before seroconversion occurs. In endemic populations, excellent results have been described in diagnosing low-grade active Schistosoma infections by the detection of the adult worm-derived circulating anodic antigen (CAA) utilising robust lateral flow (LF) assays combined with up-converting phosphor (UCP) reporter technology. The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic value of the UCP-LF CAA assay in a non-endemic setting. CAA concentrations were determined in 111 serum samples originating from 81 serology-positive individuals. In nine individuals, serum could be collected before travel and an additional five provided samples before and after seroconversion occurred. Based on detectable CAA levels, an active infection was seen in 56/81 (69%) of the exposed individuals, while the 10 controls and the 9 sera collected before travel were tested negative for CAA. Positive CAA levels were observed starting 4 weeks after exposure and in four cases CAA was detected even before Schistosoma-specific antibodies became positive. Higher serum CAA levels were seen in migrants than in travellers and CAA concentrations dropped sharply when testing follow-up samples after treatment. This explorative study indicates the UCP-LF CAA serum assay to be a highly accurate test for detecting active low-grade Schistosoma infections in a non-endemic routine diagnostic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca van Grootveld
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia de Dood
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jutte J C de Vries
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leo G Visser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, L4-Q, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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48
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Tahapary DL, de Ruiter K, Martin I, Brienen EAT, van Lieshout L, Cobbaert CM, Soewondo P, Djuardi Y, Wiria AE, Houwing-Duistermaat JJ, Sartono E, Smit JWA, Yazdanbakhsh M, Supali T. Effect of Anthelmintic Treatment on Insulin Resistance: A Cluster-Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Indonesia. Clin Infect Dis 2018; 65:764-771. [PMID: 28472383 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence suggests that helminth infections are associated with lower insulin resistance (IR). Current deworming programs might remove this helminth-associated protective effect. Therefore, we evaluated the anthelmintic treatment effect on changes in IR. Methods We conducted a double-blind, household-cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on Flores island, Indonesia, an area endemic for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). All subjects received 4 rounds of albendazole or matching placebo with 3-month intervals, for 3 consecutive days. The primary outcome was the change in homeostatic model assessment of IR in those aged >16 years. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed involving all subjects and ad hoc in the helminth-infected subjects. Results We examined 797 (in 329 households) and 872 (in 353 households) subjects, who were assigned randomly into the albendazole and placebo arms, respectively. Albendazole was associated with a significant reduction in STH prevalence, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and eosinophil count. Whereas albendazole had no effect on IR (estimated treatment effect, 0.006 [95% confidence interval, -.010 to .021]; P = .48) at the community level, it was associated with a significant increase in IR (estimated treatment effect, 0.031 [95% confidence interval, .004 to .059]; P = .04) (P value for interaction = .01) among helminth-infected subjects as detected by microscopy. Pathway analysis suggested that this might in part be due to an increased body mass index or a reduced eosinophil count. Conclusions Anthelmintic treatment reduces STH prevalence, total IgE, and eosinophil count but has no effect on IR at the community level. In helminth-infected subjects, treatment significantly increases IR, highlighting the need for metabolic health monitoring with ongoing deworming programs. Clinical Trials Registration ISRCTN 75636394.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dicky L Tahapary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta.,Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karin de Ruiter
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ivonne Martin
- Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.,Department of Mathematics, Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Eric A T Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christa M Cobbaert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Pradana Soewondo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
| | - Yenny Djuardi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
| | - Aprilianto E Wiria
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
| | - Jeanine J Houwing-Duistermaat
- Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.,Department of Statistics, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Erliyani Sartono
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes W A Smit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen.,Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Taniawati Supali
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
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Lim MD, Brooker SJ, Belizario VY, Gay-Andrieu F, Gilleard J, Levecke B, van Lieshout L, Medley GF, Mekonnen Z, Mirams G, Njenga SM, Odiere MR, Rudge JW, Stuyver L, Vercruysse J, Vlaminck J, Walson JL. Diagnostic tools for soil-transmitted helminths control and elimination programs: A pathway for diagnostic product development. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006213. [PMID: 29494581 PMCID: PMC5832200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Lim
- Global Health Division, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Simon J. Brooker
- Global Health Division, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, United States of America
| | | | | | - John Gilleard
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Graham F. Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Maurice R. Odiere
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - James W. Rudge
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Judd L. Walson
- Departments of Global Health, Medicine (Infectious Disease), Pediatrics and Epidemiology, University of Washington, United States of America
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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50
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Galappaththi-Arachchige HN, Holmen S, Koukounari A, Kleppa E, Pillay P, Sebitloane M, Ndhlovu P, van Lieshout L, Vennervald BJ, Gundersen SG, Taylor M, Kjetland EF. Evaluating diagnostic indicators of urogenital Schistosoma haematobium infection in young women: A cross sectional study in rural South Africa. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191459. [PMID: 29451887 PMCID: PMC5815575 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urine microscopy is the standard diagnostic method for urogenital S. haematobium infection. However, this may lead to under-diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis, as the disease may present itself with genital symptoms in the absence of ova in the urine. Currently there is no single reliable and affordable diagnostic method to diagnose the full spectrum of urogenital S. haematobium infection. In this study we explore the classic indicators in the diagnosis of urogenital S. haematobium infection, with focus on young women. METHODS In a cross-sectional study of 1237 sexually active young women in rural South Africa, we assessed four diagnostic indicators of urogenital S. haematobium infection: microscopy of urine, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), urogenital symptoms, and sandy patches detected clinically in combination with computerised image analysis of photocolposcopic images. We estimated the accuracy of these diagnostic indicators through the following analyses: 1) cross tabulation (assumed empirical gold standard) of the tests against the combined findings of sandy patches and/or computerized image analysis and 2) a latent class model of the four indicators without assuming any gold standard. RESULTS The empirical approach showed that urine microscopy had a sensitivity of 34.7% and specificity of 75.2% while the latent class analysis approach (LCA) suggested a sensitivity of 81.0% and specificity of 85.6%. The empirical approach and LCA showed that Schistosoma PCR in CVL had low sensitivity (14.1% and 52.4%, respectively) and high specificity (93.0% and 98.0, respectively). Using LCA, the presence of sandy patches showed a sensitivity of 81.6 and specificity of 42.4%. The empirical approach and LCA showed that urogenital symptoms had a high sensitivity (89.4% and 100.0%, respectively), whereas specificity was low (10.6% and 12.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION All the diagnostic indicators used in the study had limited accuracy. Using urine microscopy or Schistosoma PCR in CVL would only confirm a fraction of the sandy patches found by colposcopic examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hashini Nilushika Galappaththi-Arachchige
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Sigve Holmen
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Norway
| | - Artemis Koukounari
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth Kleppa
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Norway
| | - Pavitra Pillay
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Durban University of Technology, KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa
| | - Motshedisi Sebitloane
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Patricia Ndhlovu
- Imperial College London, Claybrook Centre, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Birgitte Jyding Vennervald
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Svein Gunnar Gundersen
- Research Unit, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Global Development and Planning, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Myra Taylor
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Eyrun Floerecke Kjetland
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo Norway
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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