1
|
Nguema Moure PA, Nzamba Maloum M, Manouana GP, Laclong Lontchi RA, Mbong Ngwese M, Edoa JR, Fréjus Zinsou J, Meulah B, Mahmoudou S, N'noh Dansou EM, Josiane Honkpehedji Y, Romeo Adegbite B, Agnandji ST, Ramharter M, Lell B, Borrmann S, Kremsner PG, Dejon-Agobé JC, Adegnika AA. A randomized assessors-blind clinical trial to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of albendazole alone and in combination with mebendazole or pyrantel for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infection in school-aged children in Lambaréné and surroundings. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0121123. [PMID: 38563751 PMCID: PMC11064543 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01211-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Helminthiasis remains a public health issue in endemic areas. Various drugs have been proposed to improve efficacy against helminths. The study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of three different anthelmintic combinations to treat Trichuris trichiura infections. We conducted a randomized assessors-blind clinical trial involving children aged 2-17 years with T. trichiura. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms. On the first and third days, all participants got albendazole 400 mg, and on the second day, albendazole (arm A), mebendazole 500 mg (arm B), or pyrantel 125 mg/kg (arm C). We assessed treatment efficacy using the cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate (ERR) at 3 and 6 weeks post-treatment. At 3 weeks post-treatment, ERR and CR were highest in study arm A [ERR = 94%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 92-95; CR = 71%; 95% CI: 58-81] compared to the B and C arms. Decrease in ERR was significant only for arm B versus arm A (P-value <0.001); decrease in ERR was significant for arms B and C (P-value <0.001). No statistical difference was observed in CR when comparing arms A and B (P-value =1.00) and C (P-value =0.27). At 6 weeks, a decrease in ERR was observed in three arms, significant only for arm C, 81% (95% CI: 78-83). A significant increase in egg counts was observed between 3 and 6 weeks post-treatment. All treatments were safe with mild adverse events. Albendazole 400 mg/day (arm A) showed the highest efficacy against trichuriasis. Nonetheless, this treatment regimen was able to cure half of the treated individuals highlighting concerns about controlling the transmission of T. trichiura.CLINICAL TRIALRegistered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04326868).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Alvyn Nguema Moure
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Ecole Doctorale Régionale d’Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
| | | | - Gédéon Prince Manouana
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Brice Meulah
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bayode Romeo Adegbite
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Selidji Todagbe Agnandji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Ramharter
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I. Dep. of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bertrand Lell
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine 1, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steffen Borrmann
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter G. Kremsner
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Ayôla Akim Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Ecole Doctorale Régionale d’Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gałązka M, Klich D, Filip-Hutsch K, Olech W, Anusz K, Pyziel AM. Endoparasite loads and the efficacy of conventional anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes in captive European bison. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:224-231. [PMID: 37415923 PMCID: PMC10319643 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Although little information exists on the efficacy of deworming in wild ruminants, gastrointestinal nematodes have been found to demonstrate increasing drug resistance. The spread of drug-resistant strains may be increased by transmission among livestock and susceptible wildlife species, thus posing a potential threat to endangered species, such as the European bison. The aim of the study was twofold: to identify the parasite loads in captive European bison with the use of coprological techniques, and to test the influence of other nearby ungulates on the richness of bison parasitofauna. Additionally, the efficacy of deworming procedures against gastrointestinal nematodes in bison was evaluated. The survey was based on a coprological investigation of 285 fecal samples from 156 European bison in 15 enclosures. The parasitofauna of the captive European bison was consistent with those of free-ranging populations. The highest prevalence was noted for Eimeria spp. oocysts (60.7%), strongyle eggs (50.9%), Fasciola hepatica eggs (13.1%), Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae (12.3%) and Trichuris sp. Eggs (9.47%). Moreover, the close proximity of other ungulate species resulted in a higher diversity of parasite species. In all cases, deworming with albendazole, fenbendazole and ivermectin proved to be ineffective against strongylids and Trichuris sp. The results of fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) ranged from 37.2 to 99.6% (95% CI <90%) for albendazole; values >95% (95% CI = 41-100) were noted for fenbendazole, and FECRT ranged from 63.2 to 97.5 (95% CI = 0-99) for ivermectin. As the results of anthelmintic treatment are unsatisfactory, it seems justified to continue study in this area. Our study is the first large-scale attempt to evaluate the efficacy of anthelminthics in captive European bison. The potential sharing of parasite species between bison and other ungulates should also be further investigated from the perspective of minimizing the risk of the spread of drug-resistant parasite strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gałązka
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - WULS, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
- Municipal Zoological Garden in Warsaw, Ratuszowa 1/3, 03-461, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - WULS, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - WULS, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wanda Olech
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - WULS, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - WULS, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M. Pyziel
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - WULS, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tan PY, Loganathan R, Teng KT, Lee SC, Syahirah Nadiah Mohd J, Selvaduray KR, Ngui R, Lim YAL. Red palm olein-enriched biscuit supplementation lowers Ascaris lumbricoides reinfection at 6-month after anthelmintic treatment among schoolchildren with vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Acta Trop 2023; 240:106860. [PMID: 36775004 PMCID: PMC10241531 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Notwithstanding the global efforts made to control intestinal parasitic infections, soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still one of the most prevalent infections globally, especially in developing countries. A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 343 primary schoolchildren (8-12 years old) with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in rural areas of Malaysia to investigate the effects of red palm olein (RPO)-enriched biscuits on STH reinfection rates and infection intensities. The effects of the RPO-enriched biscuits (experimental group, n = 153) and palm olein (PO)-enriched biscuits (control group, n = 190), were assessed at 3- and 6-month after the administration of complete triple-dose albendazole (one dose of 400 mg for three consecutive days). The overall STH infection rate at baseline was recorded at 65.6%. At 6-month, a significantly lower reinfection rate of A. lumbricoides was observed in the experimental group (35.3%) compared to the control group (60.0%) (P< 0.05), and a significant reduction in fecal egg count (epg) of A. lumbricoides was observed in the experimental group from baseline (P< 0.001), but no significant reduction was observed in the control group. No significant differences in the reduction of infection intensities of T. trichiura and hookworm were observed between experimental and control groups at 3- and 6-month (P>0.05). These findings suggest the potential beneficial effects of RPO-enriched biscuit supplementation on the reinfection of A. lumbricoides, which could be attributed to its high carotenoids content by enhancing host immune response and mucosal epithelium integrity. However, further studies are warranted to confirm whether RPO supplementation could result in similar parasite-specific beneficial effects in other community settings, as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Tan
- Nutrition Unit, Division of Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Radhika Loganathan
- Nutrition Unit, Division of Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kim-Tiu Teng
- Nutrition Unit, Division of Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Soo Ching Lee
- Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Kanga Rani Selvaduray
- Nutrition Unit, Division of Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Romano Ngui
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Ai-Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Aruldas K, Dawson K, Saxena M, Titus A, Johnson J, Gwayi-Chore MC, Muliyil J, Kang G, Walson JL, Khera A, Ajjampur SSR, Means AR. Evaluation of opportunities to implement community-wide mass drug administration for interrupting transmission of soil-transmitted helminths infections in India. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011176. [PMID: 36897877 PMCID: PMC10004831 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) guidelines recommend control of soil transmitted helminth (STH)-associated morbidity with targeted deworming of preschool and school-aged children who are disproportionately affected by STH-associated morbidity. However, this strategy leaves many adults untreated and reinfection within communities perpetuates transmission even when mass drug administration (MDA) coverage of children is high. Evidence suggests that it may be possible to interrupt STH transmission by expanding MDA to a community-wide MDA (cMDA). METHODS This multi-methods study of organizational readiness survey, key informant interviews, and program mapping, were conducted with government stakeholders in three Indian states, Goa, Sikkim, and Odisha, to assess readiness of the states for transitioning from school-based MDA to cMDA and identify opportunities to leverage existing infrastructure from other NTD programs like lymphatic filariasis (LF) for STH cMDA. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Overall, all three states indicated a highly favorable policy environment, effective leadership structure, adequate material resources, demonstrated technical capacity, and adequate community infrastructure needed to launch a STH cMDA program. The findings indicated a high-level of health system readiness to implement provided human resources and financial resources to deliver cMDA is strengthened. Areas with a significant overlap between LF and STH MDA platforms, particularly at the community-level, may be best primed for transitioning. Immunization, maternal child health, and non-communicable disease control programs were the other programs for possible integration of cMDA. States indicated having effective leadership structures in place at the state-level, however, engaging local leaders and community groups were considered crucial for successful implementation of cMDA. In-migration was a perceived challenge for estimating drug requirement and preventing possible stockouts. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study are intended to proactively support government decision making, prioritization, and program planning across heterogenous implementation contexts in India to speed the translation of research findings into practice. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03014167; ClinicalTrials.gov.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kumudha Aruldas
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kim Dawson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Malvika Saxena
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Angelin Titus
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jabaselvi Johnson
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Marie-Claire Gwayi-Chore
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jayaprakash Muliyil
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gagandeep Kang
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Judd L. Walson
- Departments of Global Health, Medicine (Infectious Disease), Pediatrics and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- The DeWorm3 Project, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ajay Khera
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (former), Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Sitara S. R. Ajjampur
- The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Arianna Rubin Means
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- The DeWorm3 Project, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Three-Dimensional Models of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs from Light Microscopy Images. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7090216. [PMID: 36136627 PMCID: PMC9505317 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7090216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization indicates that more than 1.5 billion people are infected with geohelminths. Soil-transmitted helminths prevail mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, in areas with inadequate hygiene and sanitation conditions, and basic health education problems. Nematode eggs are structures of resistance and infection by fecal–oral transmission. When STH eggs are ingested, they can infect the potential host, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, malnutrition, and physical-cognitive impacts in children. Taking advantage of the increasing employment of three-dimensional models of these structured based on light microscopy images to improve the research area and education could be an alternative to improve health education and spread scientific information on transmission and prevention. The objective of this work was to produce 3D printed models from bi-dimensional images of eggs based on their real morphological and morphometric characteristics. The virtual models were reconstructed from the acquisition and selection of images obtained using light microscopy. After selecting referential images, we constructed the models based on the vectorization of the egg structures. After vectorization, 3D modeling was performed and printed in PLA. 3D models have a high potential to contribute to the advanced morphological studies and teaching of parasitological sciences, enriching the teaching-learning process applicable in presential or remote teaching of basic education, undergraduate, and post-graduation classes.
Collapse
|
6
|
Jones BP, van Vliet AHM, LaCourse EJ, Betson M. In Silico Docking of Nematode β-Tubulins With Benzimidazoles Points to Gene Expression and Orthologue Variation as Factors in Anthelmintic Resistance. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.898814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of benzimidazole anthelmintics can vary depending on the target parasite, with Ascaris nematodes being highly responsive, and whipworms being less responsive. Anthelmintic resistance has become widespread, particularly in strongyle nematodes such as Haemonchus contortus in ruminants, and resistance has recently been detected in hookworms of humans and dogs. Past work has shown that there are multiple β-tubulin isotypes in helminths, yet only a few of these contribute to benzimidazole interactions and resistance. The β-tubulin isotypes of ascarids and soil-transmitted helminths were identified by mining available genome data, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the ascarids share a similar repertoire of seven β-tubulin isotypes. Strongyles also have a consistent pattern of four β-tubulin isotypes. In contrast, the whipworms only have two isotypes, with one of these clustering more basally and distinct from any other group. Key β-tubulin isotypes selected based on previous studies were the focus of in silico molecular docking simulations to look at the interactions with benzimidazoles. These showed that all β-tubulins had similar interactions with benzimidazoles and maintained the key bond with residue E198 in all species, indicating similar mechanisms of action. However, the interaction was stronger and more consistent in the strongyles and whipworms than it was in the ascarids. Alteration of β-tubulin isotypes with the common resistance-associated mutations originally identified in H. contortus resulted in similar interaction modeling for all species. In conclusion, ascarids, strongyles, and whipworms all have their own unique repertoire of β-tubulins, which could explain why benzimidazole resistance and susceptibility varies between these groups of parasites. These data complement recent work that has highlighted the roles of essential residues in benzimidazole drug binding and shows that there is a separation between strongyle parasites that frequently develop resistance and ascarid parasites, which have been much less prone to developing resistance.
Collapse
|
7
|
Gilmour B, Alene KA, Clements ACA. The prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infections in minority indigenous populations of South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Region: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009890. [PMID: 34758024 PMCID: PMC8580241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections cause one of the most prevalent diseases in man. STHs disproportionately impact socio-economically disadvantaged communities including minority indigenous populations. This systematic review aimed to quantify the prevalence of STH infection within minority indigenous populations of the South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions. METHODS The systematic review was conducted in accordance with The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines following a published protocol. A random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of STH infection, and meta-regression analysis was used to quantify associations with study characteristics. Where comparative data were available, sub-group analysis was conducted to evaluate the risk of STH infection in minority indigenous people relative to other population groups. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated visually using Forest plots and was assessed quantitatively by the index of heterogeneity (I2) and Cochran Q-statistics. RESULTS From 1,366 unique studies that were identified, 81 were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of infection within minority indigenous populations was 61.4% (95% CI 50.8, 71.4) for overall STH infection; 32.3% (95% CI 25.7, 39.3) for Ascaris.lumbricoides; 43.6% (95% CI 32.6, 54.8) for Trichuris.trichiura; 19.9% (95% CI 15.7, 24.5) for hookworm and 6.3% (95% CI 3.2, 10.2) for Strongyloides.stercoralis. A significant increase in T. trichiura prevalence was observed over time. The stratified analysis showed that the prevalence of infection for STH overall and for each STH species were not significantly different in minority indigenous participants compared to other populations groups. CONCLUSION The prevalence of STH infection is high within minority indigenous populations across countries at very different levels of socio-economic development. The increasing prevalence of T. trichiura calls for the implementation of more effective therapies and control strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth Gilmour
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kefyalew Addis Alene
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Archie C. A. Clements
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Modelling the ability of mass drug administration to interrupt soil-transmitted helminth transmission: Community-based deworming in Kenya as a case study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009625. [PMID: 34339450 PMCID: PMC8360579 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization has recommended the application of mass drug administration (MDA) in treating high prevalence neglected tropical diseases such as soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and trachoma. MDA—which is safe, effective and inexpensive—has been widely applied to eliminate or interrupt the transmission of STHs in particular and has been offered to people in endemic regions without requiring individual diagnosis. We propose two mathematical models to investigate the impact of MDA on the mean number of worms in both treated and untreated human subpopulations. By varying the efficay of drugs, initial conditions of the models, coverage and frequency of MDA (both annual and biannual), we examine the dynamic behaviour of both models and the possibility of interruption of transmission. Both models predict that the interruption of transmission is possible if the drug efficacy is sufficiently high, but STH infection remains endemic if the drug efficacy is sufficiently low. In between these two critical values, the two models produce different predictions. By applying an additional round of biannual and annual MDA, we find that interruption of transmission is likely to happen in both cases with lower drug efficacy. In order to interrupt the transmission of STH or eliminate the infection efficiently and effectively, it is crucial to identify the appropriate efficacy of drug, coverage, frequency, timing and number of rounds of MDA. We determine the best options for annual and biannual mass drug administration to control soil-transmitted helminths. An additional round of drugs can allow weaker drugs to be used. We apply the results to a community-based deworming project in Kenya.
Collapse
|
9
|
Patel C, Keller L, Welsche S, Hattendorf J, Sayasone S, Ali SM, Ame SM, Coulibaly JT, Hürlimann E, Keiser J. Assessment of fecal calprotectin and fecal occult blood as point-of-care markers for soil-transmitted helminth attributable intestinal morbidity in a case-control substudy conducted in Côte d'Ivoire, Lao PDR and Pemba Island, Tanzania. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 32:100724. [PMID: 33554091 PMCID: PMC7851339 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) may result in chronic inflammatory disorders affecting the human host. The objective of this study was to evaluate Fecal Calprotectin (FC) and Fecal Occult Blood (FOB) in individuals infected and non-infected with STHs to identify potential intestinal morbidity markers. METHODS Stool from participants diagnosed positive for Trichuris trichiura and concomitant STH infections from three countries was used to perform FC and FOB point-of-care assays. Simultaneously, identified STH negative participants underwent FC and FOB testing as controls. Potential associations between test results and determinants were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. FINDINGS In total, 1034 T. trichiura infected cases (mostly light infections) and 157 STH negative controls were tested for FC and FOB. Among all participants tested, 18·5% had ≥ 50 µg/g FC concentration, while 14 (1·2%) were positive for FOB. No statistically significant association was found between T. trichiura infection or Ascaris lumbricoides co-infection and FC concentration, while an inverse association (odds ratio (OR): 0·45, 95% credible intervals (CrI): 0·26, 0·75) was found between hookworm co-infection and FC concentration. In Lao PDR, the proportion of participants in the ≥ 50 µg/g FC category was significantly higher in the oldest age category compared to the 5-11 years group (OR: 3·31, 95% CrI: 1·62, 7·24). Too few participants were found positive for FOB to derive any conclusions. INTERPRETATION Studies are needed to better understand the relationship between intestinal morbidity and STH infections. Suitable, standardized, low-cost markers of STH attributable morbidity to better monitor the impact of STH control interventions are necessary. FUNDING BMGF (OPP1153928).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Patel
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ladina Keller
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Welsche
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of International Program for Health in the Tropics, Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Said M. Ali
- Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, Pemba, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Shaali M. Ame
- Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, Pemba, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Jean Tenena Coulibaly
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- Department of Research and Development, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Eveline Hürlimann
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mbong Ngwese M, Prince Manouana G, Nguema Moure PA, Ramharter M, Esen M, Adégnika AA. Diagnostic Techniques of Soil-Transmitted Helminths: Impact on Control Measures. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E93. [PMID: 32516900 PMCID: PMC7344795 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are common in the tropical and subtropical countries. The burden of disease is highest in endemic areas with limited access to good quality water supply and poor sanitary conditions. Major approaches to control and reduce morbidity caused by worm infections include the periodic deworming of pre-school and school-aged children with anthelminthic drugs. Population-based studies and individual patient management including interventional studies can only be successful when accurate diagnostic techniques are used. The lack of appropriate diagnostic tools providing accurate results concerning both infectious status and intensity of infection-as these two factors vary in regions of low infection intensities-is a major challenge. Currently, available techniques show limited sensitivity and specificity and as such, a combination of several techniques is usually used to diagnose the large variety of parasite species. The objective of this review was to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different available techniques for the diagnosis of STH infections and to highlight their use in control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirabeau Mbong Ngwese
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP: 242, Gabon; (M.M.N.); (G.P.M.); (P.A.N.M.)
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology (MPI), Department of Microbiome Science, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gédéon Prince Manouana
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP: 242, Gabon; (M.M.N.); (G.P.M.); (P.A.N.M.)
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhad Karls Universität Tübingen, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Paul Alvyn Nguema Moure
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP: 242, Gabon; (M.M.N.); (G.P.M.); (P.A.N.M.)
| | - Michael Ramharter
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany;
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I. Department of Medicine University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, D-20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Meral Esen
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhad Karls Universität Tübingen, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Ayola Akim Adégnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP: 242, Gabon; (M.M.N.); (G.P.M.); (P.A.N.M.)
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhad Karls Universität Tübingen, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), D-72074 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zamanian M, Cook DE, Zdraljevic S, Brady SC, Lee D, Lee J, Andersen EC. Discovery of genomic intervals that underlie nematode responses to benzimidazoles. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006368. [PMID: 29601575 PMCID: PMC5895046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes impose a debilitating health and economic burden across much of the world. Nematode resistance to anthelmintic drugs threatens parasite control efforts in both human and veterinary medicine. Despite this threat, the genetic landscape of potential resistance mechanisms to these critical drugs remains largely unexplored. Here, we exploit natural variation in the model nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae to discover quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control sensitivity to benzimidazoles widely used in human and animal medicine. High-throughput phenotyping of albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole, and thiabendazole responses in panels of recombinant lines led to the discovery of over 15 QTL in C. elegans and four QTL in C. briggsae associated with divergent responses to these anthelmintics. Many of these QTL are conserved across benzimidazole derivatives, but others show drug and dose specificity. We used near-isogenic lines to recapitulate and narrow the C. elegans albendazole QTL of largest effect and identified candidate variants correlated with the resistance phenotype. These QTL do not overlap with known benzimidazole target resistance genes from parasitic nematodes and present specific new leads for the discovery of novel mechanisms of nematode benzimidazole resistance. Analyses of orthologous genes reveal conservation of candidate benzimidazole resistance genes in medically important parasitic nematodes. These data provide a basis for extending these approaches to other anthelmintic drug classes and a pathway towards validating new markers for anthelmintic resistance that can be deployed to improve parasite disease control. The treatment of roundworm (nematode) infections in both humans and animals relies on a small number of anti-parasitic drugs. Resistance to these drugs has appeared in veterinary parasite populations and is a growing concern in human medicine. A better understanding of the genetic basis for parasite drug resistance can be used to help maintain the effectiveness of anti-parasitic drugs and to slow or to prevent the spread of drug resistance in parasite populations. This goal is hampered by the experimental intractability of nematode parasites. Here, we use non-parasitic model nematodes to systematically explore responses to the critical benzimidazole class of anti-parasitic compounds. Using a quantitative genetics approach, we discovered unique genomic intervals that control drug effects, and we identified differences in the effects of these intervals across compounds and doses. We were able to narrow a major-effect genomic region associated with albendazole resistance and to establish that candidate genes discovered in our genetic mappings are largely conserved in important human and animal parasites. This work provides new leads for understanding parasite drug resistance and contributes a powerful template that can be extended to other anti-parasitic drug classes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Zamanian
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Daniel E Cook
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America.,Interdisciplinary Biological Science Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Stefan Zdraljevic
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America.,Interdisciplinary Biological Science Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Shannon C Brady
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America.,Interdisciplinary Biological Science Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Daehan Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Erik C Andersen
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.,Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
A single-dose antihelminthic treatment does not influence immunogenicity of a meningococcal and a cholera vaccine in Gabonese school children. Vaccine 2016; 34:5384-5390. [PMID: 27642131 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We recently described the effect of a single-dose antihelminthic treatment on vaccine immunogenicity to a seasonal influenza vaccine. Here we report the effect of antihelminthics on the immunogenicity of a meningococcal vaccine and a cholera vaccine in primary school children living in Lambaréné, Gabon. Since infection with helminths remains a major public health problem and the influence on cognitive and physical development as well as the immunomodulatory effects are well established, we investigated if a single-dose antihelminthic treatment prior to immunization positively influences antibody titers and vaccine-specific memory B-cells. METHODS In this placebo-controlled, double-blind trial the effect of a single-dose antihelminthic treatment prior to immunization with a meningococcal as well as with a cholera vaccine was investigated. Anti-meningococcal antibodies were assessed by serum bactericidal assay, cholera vaccine-specific antibody titers by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) at baseline (Day 0; vaccination), four weeks (Day 28) and 12weeks (Day 84) following vaccination. Meningococcal and cholera vaccine-specific memory B-cells were measured at Day 0 and 84 by vaccine-specific Enzyme-linked Immunospot (ELISpot) assay. The helminth burden of the participants was assessed four weeks before vaccination (Day -28) and at Day 84 by the Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde technique. RESULTS Out of 280 screened school children, 96 received a meningococcal vaccine and 89 a cholera vaccine following allocation to either the single-dose antihelminthic treatment group or the placebo group. Bactericidal antibody titers increased following immunization with the meningococcal vaccine at Day 28 and Day 84 in 68 participants for serogroup A, and in 80 participants for serogroup C. The cholera vaccine titers increased in all participants with a peak at Day 28. The number of memory B-cells increased following vaccination compared to baseline. There was no statistically significant difference in antibody and B-cell response between children receiving albendazole compared to those receiving placebo. CONCLUSION A single-dose treatment with albendazole prior to immunization had no effect on meningococcal or cholera vaccine immunogenicity in our study population.
Collapse
|