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Parvatkar PT, Diagne K, Zhao Y, Manetsch R. Indoloquinoline Alkaloids as Antimalarials: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities. ChemMedChem 2024:e202400254. [PMID: 38840271 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Malaria infections affect almost half of the world's population, with over 200 million cases reported annually. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a plant native to West Africa, has long been used across various regions of Africa for malaria treatment. Chemical analysis has revealed that the plant is abundant in indoloquinolines, which have been shown to possess antimalarial properties. Cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, and isocryptolepine are well-studied indoloquinoline alkaloids known for their potent antimalarial activity. However, their structural rigidity and associated cellular toxicity are major drawbacks for preclinical development. This review focuses on the potential of indoloquinoline alkaloids (cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, and isocryptolepine) as scaffolds in drug discovery. The article delves into their antimalarial effects in vitro and in vivo, as well as their proposed mechanisms of action and structure-activity relationship studies. Several studies aim to improve these leads by reducing cytotoxicity while preserving or enhancing antimalarial activity and gaining insights into their mechanisms of action. These investigations highlight the potential of indoloquinolines as a scaffold for developing new antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash T Parvatkar
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Khaly Diagne
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yingzhao Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Roman Manetsch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Parvatkar P, Maher SP, Zhao Y, Cooper CA, de Castro ST, Péneau J, Vantaux A, Witkowski B, Kyle DE, Manetsch R. In Vitro Antimalarial Activity of Trichothecenes against Liver and Blood Stages of Plasmodium Species. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:315-321. [PMID: 38262446 PMCID: PMC10897926 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Trichothecenes (TCNs) are a large group of tricyclic sesquiterpenoid mycotoxins that have intriguing structural features and remarkable biological activities. Herein, we focused on three TCNs (anguidine, verrucarin A, and verrucarol) and their ability to target both the blood and liver stages of Plasmodium species, the parasite responsible for malaria. Anguidine and verrucarin A were found to be highly effective against the blood and liver stages of malaria, while verrucarol had no effect at the highest concentration tested. However, these compounds were also found to be cytotoxic and, thus, not selective, making them unsuitable for drug development. Nonetheless, they could be useful as chemical probes for protein synthesis inhibitors due to their direct impact on parasite synthesis processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash
T. Parvatkar
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Steven P. Maher
- Center
for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Yingzhao Zhao
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Caitlin A. Cooper
- Center
for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Sagan T. de Castro
- Center
for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Julie Péneau
- Malaria
Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur
du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 120 210, Cambodia
| | - Amélie Vantaux
- Malaria
Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur
du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 120 210, Cambodia
| | - Benoît Witkowski
- Malaria
Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Institut Pasteur
du Cambodge, 5 Boulevard Monivong, PO Box 983, Phnom Penh, 120 210, Cambodia
| | - Dennis E. Kyle
- Center
for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Roman Manetsch
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Center
for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Barnett
Institute
of Chemical and Biological Analysis, Northeastern
University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Omondi CJ, Odongo D, Otambo WO, Ochwedo KO, Otieno A, Lee MC, Kazura JW, Githeko AK, Yan G. Malaria diagnosis in rural healthcare facilities and treatment-seeking behavior in malaria endemic settings in western Kenya. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001532. [PMID: 37471336 PMCID: PMC10358955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Accurate malaria diagnosis and timely treatment are requirements for effective management of the disease. However, treatment efficacy may be significantly reduced in resource-constrained healthcare facilities with poorly equipped laboratories and frequent drug and rapid diagnostic test kit (RDT) stock-outs. Furthermore, patient may avoid seeking treatment from such facilities. The study's goal was to determine treatment-seeking behavior, malaria diagnosis and treatment quality, and likely treatment-seeking determinants in the local population. Passive case detection, which targeted all patients with suspected malaria cases, was conducted in ten public healthcare facilities over a three-month period. Monthly malaria cases, methods of diagnosis and antimalarial drug availability were assessed. A household-based survey was also carried out. Structured questionnaires were used to collect knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) data from household heads. Malaria knowledge, treatment seeking behavior, and predictors of malaria treatment-seeking were all determined. Three of the seven dispensaries lacked a laboratory to conduct microscopy- diagnosis. These three dispensaries also experienced frequent RDT stock-outs, which resulted in depending on clinical signs as diagnosis for malaria. The majority of local residents with fever (50.3%) purchased antimalarial drugs from a chemist. About 37% of fever patients sought treatment at healthcare facility while the remaining 12.7% did not treat their fevers. In irrigated areas, 45.5% (46/64) of fever patients sought treatment at healthcare facilities, compared to 25% (18/64) in non-irrigated areas (p = 0.009). Most children aged below 5 who had fever (77.7%) were taken to healthcare facility for treatment compared to 31.4% of children aged 5-14 years or 20.9% of adults (0.0001). Predictors of treatment seeking included access to healthcare facility (OR = 16.23, 95% CI: 2.74-96.12), and ability to pay hospital bills (OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 1.97-57). Other factors that influenced health-seeking behavior included the severity of symptoms, the age of the patient and knowledge of malaria symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collince J. Omondi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - David Odongo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wilfred O. Otambo
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Department of Zoology, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kevin O. Ochwedo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Antony Otieno
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ming-Chieh Lee
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - James W. Kazura
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Andrew K. Githeko
- Sub-Saharan International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Climate and Human Health Research Unit, Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
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Shelus V, Mumbere N, Mulogo EM, Barrington C, Baguma E, Muhindo R, Herrington JE, Emch M, Maman S, Boyce RM. Private sector antimalarial sales a decade after “test and treat”: A cross-sectional study of drug shop clients in rural Uganda. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1140405. [PMID: 37056663 PMCID: PMC10089286 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1140405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe World Health Organization has promoted “test and treat” guidelines for malaria since 2010, recommending all suspected malaria cases be confirmed with a parasitological test, typically a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), prior to treatment with antimalarial medications. However, many fevers at private drug shops in Uganda continue to be treated presumptively as malaria without diagnostic testing.MethodsThe purpose of this study was to document private sector malaria case management in rural Uganda through a cross-sectional survey of drug shop clients in Bugoye sub-county. Drug shop vendors (n = 46) recorded information about sales interactions with clients reporting fever or requesting antimalarials and collected capillary blood samples from clients who purchased medications without an RDT. We estimated the proportion of clients who purchased an RDT, adhered to the RDT result, and received antimalarials without having laboratory-confirmed malaria.ResultsMost drug shops were unlicensed (96%) and sold RDTs (98%). Of 934 clients with suspected malaria who visited study drug shops during the data collection period, only 25% bought an RDT. Since some clients reported previous RDTs from the public sector, 40% of clients were aware of their malaria status at the drug shop. Among those with negative tests, 36% still purchased antimalarials. Sixty-five percent of clients who purchased an antimalarial without an RDT subsequently tested negative.ConclusionsDespite national guidelines, drug shop clients who purchase antimalarials from drug shops in Bugoye are often not tested to confirm a malaria diagnosis prior to treatment. Most clients treated presumptively with antimalarials did not have malaria. Interventions are needed to improve malaria case management and rational drug use in the private sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Shelus
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nobert Mumbere
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edgar M. Mulogo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Clare Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Emmanuel Baguma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Rabbison Muhindo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - James E. Herrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michael Emch
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Suzanne Maman
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ross M. Boyce
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Ross M. Boyce
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Opoku Afriyie S, Addison TK, Gebre Y, Mutala AH, Antwi KB, Abbas DA, Addo KA, Tweneboah A, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Koepfli C, Badu K. Accuracy of diagnosis among clinical malaria patients: comparing microscopy, RDT and a highly sensitive quantitative PCR looking at the implications for submicroscopic infections. Malar J 2023; 22:76. [PMID: 36870966 PMCID: PMC9985253 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04506-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends parasitological confirmation of all suspected malaria cases by microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) before treatment. These conventional tools are widely used for point-of-care diagnosis in spite of their poor sensitivity at low parasite density. Previous studies in Ghana have compared microscopy and RDT using standard 18S rRNA PCR as reference with varying outcomes. However, how these conventional tools compare with ultrasensitive varATS qPCR has not been studied. This study, therefore, sought to investigate the clinical performance of microscopy and RDT assuming highly sensitive varATS qPCR as gold standard. METHODS 1040 suspected malaria patients were recruited from two primary health care centers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and tested for malaria by microscopy, RDT, and varATS qPCR. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were assessed using varATS qPCR as gold standard. RESULTS Parasite prevalence was 17.5%, 24.5%, and 42.1% by microscopy, RDT, and varATS qPCR respectively. Using varATS qPCR as the standard, RDT was more sensitive (55.7% vs 39.3%), equally specific (98.2% vs 98.3%), and reported higher positive (95.7% vs 94.5%) and negative predictive values (75.3% vs 69.0%) than microscopy. Consequently, RDT recorded better diagnostic agreement (kappa = 0.571) with varATS qPCR than microscopy (kappa = 0.409) for clinical detection of malaria. CONCLUSIONS RDT outperformed microscopy for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the study. However, both tests missed over 40% of infections that were detected by varATS qPCR. Novel tools are needed to ensure prompt diagnosis of all clinical malaria cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Opoku Afriyie
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Thomas Kwame Addison
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yilekal Gebre
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA
| | - Abdul-Hakim Mutala
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwasi Baako Antwi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Dawood Ackom Abbas
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kofi Agyapong Addo
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Austine Tweneboah
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Cristian Koepfli
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, USA.
| | - Kingsley Badu
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
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Drysdale M, Tan L, Martin A, Fuhrer IB, Duparc S, Sharma H. Plasmodium vivax in Children: Hidden Burden and Conspicuous Challenges, a Narrative Review. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:33-51. [PMID: 36378465 PMCID: PMC9868225 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-022-00713-w] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been progress towards decreasing malaria prevalence globally; however, Plasmodium vivax has been less responsive to elimination efforts compared with Plasmodium falciparum. P. vivax malaria remains a serious public health concern in regions where it is the dominant species (South and South-East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean region, and South America) and is increasingly recognized for its contribution to overall morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence of P. vivax decreases with increasing age owing to rapidly acquired clinical immunity and there is a disproportionate burden of P. vivax in infants and children, who remain highly vulnerable to severe disease, recurrence, and anemia with associated developmental impacts. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult owing to the sensitivity of diagnostic tests to detect low levels of parasitemia. Additionally, the propensity of P. vivax to relapse following reactivation of dormant hypnozoites in the liver contributes to disease recurrence in infants and children, and potentiates morbidity and transmission. The 8-aminoquinolines, primaquine and tafenoquine, provide radical cure (relapse prevention). However, the risk of hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency necessitates testing prior to administration of 8-aminoquinolines, which has limited their uptake. Additional challenges include lack of availability of pediatric dose formulations and problems with adherence to primaquine owing to the length of treatment recommended. A paucity of data and studies specific to pediatric P. vivax malaria impacts the ability to deliver targeted interventions. It is imperative that P. vivax in infants and children be the focus of future research, control initiatives, and anti-malarial drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lionel Tan
- GSK, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS Middlesex UK
| | - Ana Martin
- GSK, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS Middlesex UK
| | | | | | - Hema Sharma
- GSK, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9GS Middlesex UK
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Hedible GB, Louart S, Neboua D, Catala L, Anago G, Sawadogo AG, Kargougou GD, Meda B, Kolié JS, Hema A, Keita S, Niome M, Savadogo AS, Peters-Bokol L, Agbeci H, Zair Z, Lenaud S, Vignon M, Ouedraogo Yugbare S, Abarry H, Diakite AA, Diallo IS, Lamontagne F, Briand V, Dahourou DL, Cousien A, Ridde V, Leroy V. Evaluation of the routine implementation of pulse oximeters into integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) guidelines at primary health care level in West Africa: the AIRE mixed-methods research protocol. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1579. [PMID: 36566173 PMCID: PMC9789366 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08982-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The AIRE operational project will evaluate the implementation of the routine Pulse Oximeter (PO) use in the integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) strategy for children under-5 in primary health care centers (PHC) in West Africa. The introduction of PO should promote the accurate identification of hypoxemia (pulse blood oxygen saturation Sp02 < 90%) among all severe IMCI cases (respiratory and non-respiratory) to prompt their effective case management (oxygen, antibiotics and other required treatments) at hospital. We seek to understand how the routine use of PO integrated in IMCI outpatients works (or not), for whom, in what contexts and with what outcomes. METHODS The AIRE project is being implemented from 03/2020 to 12/2022 in 202 PHCs in four West African countries (Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger) including 16 research PHCs (four per country). The research protocol will assess three complementary components using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods: a) context based on repeated cross-sectional surveys: baseline and aggregated monthly data from all PHCs on infrastructure, staffing, accessibility, equipment, PO use, severe cases and care; b) the process across PHCs by assessing acceptability, fidelity, implementation challenges and realistic evaluation, and c) individual outcomes in the research PHCs: all children under-5 attending IMCI clinics, eligible for PO use will be included with parental consent in a cross-sectional study. Among them, severe IMCI cases will be followed in a prospective cohort to assess their health status at 14 days. We will analyze pathways, patterns of care, and costs of care. DISCUSSION This research will identify challenges to the systematic implementation of PO in IMCI consultations, such as health workers practices, frequent turnover, quality of care, etc. Further research will be needed to fully address key questions such as the best time to introduce PO into the IMCI process, the best SpO2 threshold for deciding on hospital referral, and assessing the cost-effectiveness of PO use. The AIRE research will provide health policy makers in West Africa with sufficient evidence on the context, process and outcomes of using PO integrated into IMCI to promote scale-up in all PHCs. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registration number: PACTR202206525204526 retrospectively registered on 06/15/2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gildas Boris Hedible
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France
| | - Sarah Louart
- grid.512067.70000 0004 9338 1016ALIMA, Dakar, Senegal ,grid.500774.1IRD, CEPED, Paris, France ,grid.503422.20000 0001 2242 6780University of Lille, CLERSE - Centre Lillois d’Études et de Recherches Sociologiques et Économiques, Lille, France
| | - Désiré Neboua
- grid.512067.70000 0004 9338 1016ALIMA, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Laura Catala
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France
| | - Gildas Anago
- grid.512067.70000 0004 9338 1016ALIMA, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | | | | | | | - Adama Hema
- Terre des hommes-Lausanne (Tdh), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | | | - Lucie Peters-Bokol
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France
| | - Honorat Agbeci
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France
| | - Zineb Zair
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Marine Vignon
- grid.512067.70000 0004 9338 1016ALIMA, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Hannatou Abarry
- Ministère de la santé, des populations et des affaires sociales, Niamey, Niger
| | | | | | | | - Valérie Briand
- grid.412041.20000 0001 2106 639XUniversity of Bordeaux, Inserm UMR 1219, IRD EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Centre, Bordeaux, France
| | - Désiré Lucien Dahourou
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France ,grid.433132.40000 0001 2165 6445Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/CNRST, Département Biomédical, Santé Publique, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Anthony Cousien
- grid.508487.60000 0004 7885 7602Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France
| | | | - Valériane Leroy
- grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XInserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, CERPOP, UMR 1295, Toulouse, France ,grid.15781.3a0000 0001 0723 035XCenter for Epidemiology and Research in Population Health (CERPOP), UMR 1295, Inserm, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France
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Structure-activity and structure-property relationship studies of spirocyclic chromanes with antimalarial activity. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 57:116629. [PMID: 35091169 PMCID: PMC9233738 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a prevalent and lethal disease. The fast emergence and spread of resistance to current therapies is a major concern and the development of a novel line of therapy that could overcome, the problem of drug resistance, is imperative. Screening of a set of compounds with drug/natural product-based sub-structural motifs led to the identification of spirocyclic chroman-4-one 1 with promising antimalarial activity against the chloroquine-resistant Dd2 and chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strains of the parasite. Extensive structure-activity and structure-property relationship studies were conducted to identify the essential features necessary for its activity and properties.
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Shelus V, Mumbere N, Masereka A, Masika B, Kiitha J, Nyangoma G, Mulogo EM, Barrington C, Baguma E, Muhindo R, Herrington JE, Emch M, Maman S, Boyce RM. "Testing for malaria does not cure any pain" A qualitative study exploring low use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests at drug shops in rural Uganda. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0001235. [PMID: 36962844 PMCID: PMC10021593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization recommends all suspected malaria cases be confirmed with a parasitological test, typically a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), prior to treatment. Despite recommendations, many fevers presenting at private drug shops are treated presumptively as malaria without diagnostic testing. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe community perceptions of RDTs and explore ways to improve malaria case management at drug shops in Bugoye, western Uganda. A total of 63 in-depth interviews were conducted between September and December 2021 with 24 drug shop clients, 19 drug shop vendors, 12 community health workers, and 8 health and community officials. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and narrative techniques. While drug shop clients valued RDTs, the cost of the test limited their use. Further, mistrust in negative results and fear about treatment options for conditions other than malaria led to nonadherence to negative RDTs. Improvement with antimalarials after a negative RDT, or no RDT at all, was seen as proof an individual had malaria, reinforcing the acceptability of liberal antimalarial use. Drug shop vendors were knowledgeable about malaria case management but financially conflicted between recommending best practices and losing business. While clients viewed drug shop vendors as trusted health professionals, health officials distrusted them as business owners focused on maximizing profits. Study results suggest public-private partnerships that recognize the essential role of drug shops, better incorporate them into the healthcare system, and leverage the high levels of community trust in vendors, could provide greater opportunities for oversight and training to improve private-sector malaria case management. Interventions that address financial barriers to RDT use, emphasize the financial benefits of malaria testing, increase vendor knowledge about illnesses confused with malaria, and improve the quality of vendor-client counseling could increase RDT uptake and improve adherence to RDT results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Shelus
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Nobert Mumbere
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Amos Masereka
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Bonita Masika
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Joackim Kiitha
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Grace Nyangoma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edgar M Mulogo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Clare Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emmanuel Baguma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Rabbison Muhindo
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - James E Herrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael Emch
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Suzanne Maman
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ross M Boyce
- Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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10
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Navien TN, Yeoh TS, Anna A, Tang TH, Citartan M. Aptamers isolated against mosquito-borne pathogens. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:131. [PMID: 34240263 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are a major threat to public health. The shortcomings of diagnostic tools, especially those that are antibody-based, have been blamed in part for the rising annual morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases. Antibodies harbor a number of disadvantages that can be clearly addressed by aptamers as the more promising molecular recognition elements. Aptamers are defined as single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides generated by SELEX that exhibit high binding affinity and specificity against a wide variety of target molecules based on their unique structural conformations. A number of aptamers were developed against mosquito-borne pathogens such as Dengue virus, Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, Plasmodium parasite, Francisella tularensis, Japanese encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Rift Valley fever virus and Yellow fever virus. Intrigued by these achievements, we carry out a comprehensive overview of the aptamers developed against these mosquito-borne infectious agents. Characteristics of the aptamers and their roles in diagnostic, therapeutic as well as other applications are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tholasi Nadhan Navien
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Tzi Shien Yeoh
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Anna
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Thean-Hock Tang
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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11
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Shankar H, Singh MP, Phookan S, Singh K, Mishra N. Diagnostic performance of rapid diagnostic test, light microscopy and polymerase chain reaction during mass survey conducted in low and high malaria-endemic areas from two North-Eastern states of India. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2251-2261. [PMID: 33772349 PMCID: PMC7997798 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07125-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
An early and accurate diagnosis followed by prompt treatment is pre-requisite for the management of any disease. Malaria diagnosis is routinely performed by microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in the field settings; however, their performance may vary across regions, age and asymptomatic status. Owing to this, we assessed the diagnostic performance of conventional and advanced molecular tools for malaria detection in low and high malaria-endemic settings. We performed mass blood surveys in low and high endemic regions of two North-Eastern districts from the states of Assam and Meghalaya. A total of 3322 individuals were screened for malaria using RDT, microscopy and PCR and measures of diagnostic accuracy were estimated. Out of 3322 individuals, 649 (19.5%) were detected with malaria parasite. Asymptomatic were 86.4% (2872/3322), of which 19.4% (557/2872) had Plasmodium infection. The sensitivity and specificity of microscopy were 42.7% and 99.3%, and RDT showed 49.9% and 90.4%, respectively, considering PCR as standard. RDT (AUC: 0.65 vs 0.74; p = 0.001) and microscopy (AUC: 0.64 vs 0.76; p < 0.0001) performances were significantly lower in low compared to high endemic areas. True positive rate was lower in asymptomatics but true negative rate was found similar to symptomatic individuals. The conventional diagnostic tools (RDT and microscopy) had detected malaria in children with nearly twofold greater sensitivity than in the adults (p < 0.05). To conclude, asymptomatics, adults and low malaria-endemic regions require major attention due to mediocre performance of conventional diagnostic tools in malaria detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Shankar
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India
| | - Mrigendra Pal Singh
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India
| | - Sobhan Phookan
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research Field Unit, Guwahati, Assam, 781022, India
| | - Kuldeep Singh
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research Field Unit, Guwahati, Assam, 781022, India
| | - Neelima Mishra
- Parasite-Host Biology Group, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India.
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12
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Developing Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches to Bacterial Infections for a New Era: Implications of Globalization. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9120916. [PMID: 33339391 PMCID: PMC7765786 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In just a few months, the current coronavirus pandemic has exposed the need for a more global approach to human health. Indeed, the quick spread of infectious diseases and their unpredictable consequences, in terms of human lives and economic losses, will require a change in our strategy, both at the clinical and the research level. Ultimately, we should be ready to fight against infectious diseases affecting a huge number of people in different parts of the world. This new scenario will require rapid, inexpensive diagnostic systems, applicable anywhere in the world and, preferably, without the need for specialized personnel. Also, treatments for these diseases must be versatile, easily scalable, cheap, and easy to apply. All this will only be possible with joint support of the governments, which will have to make the requirements for the approval of new therapies more flexible. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical sector must commit to prioritizing products of global interest over the most profitable ones. Extreme circumstances demand a vehement response, and any profit losses may well pay dividends going forward. Here, we summarize the developing technologies destined to face the current and future health challenges derived from infectious diseases and discuss which ones have more possibilities of being implemented.
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13
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Augustine R, Das S, Hasan A, S A, Abdul Salam S, Augustine P, Dalvi YB, Varghese R, Primavera R, Yassine HM, Thakor AS, Kevadiya BD. Rapid Antibody-Based COVID-19 Mass Surveillance: Relevance, Challenges, and Prospects in a Pandemic and Post-Pandemic World. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E3372. [PMID: 33096742 PMCID: PMC7589650 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aggressive outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) pandemic demands rapid and simplified testing tools for its effective management. Increased mass testing and surveillance are crucial for controlling the disease spread, obtaining better pandemic statistics, and developing realistic epidemiological models. Despite the advantages of nucleic acid- and antigen-based tests such as accuracy, specificity, and non-invasive approaches of sample collection, they can only detect active infections. Antibodies (immunoglobulins) are produced by the host immune system within a few days after infection and persist in the blood for at least several weeks after infection resolution. Antibody-based tests have provided a substitute and effective method of ultra-rapid detection for multiple contagious disease outbreaks in the past, including viral diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Thus, although not highly suitable for early diagnosis, antibody-based methods can be utilized to detect past infections hidden in the population, including asymptomatic ones. In an active community spread scenario of a disease that can provide a bigger window for mass detections and a practical approach for continuous surveillance. These factors encouraged researchers to investigate means of improving antibody-based rapid tests and employ them as reliable, reproducible, sensitive, specific, and economic tools for COVID-19 mass testing and surveillance. The development and integration of such immunoglobulin-based tests can transform the pandemic diagnosis by moving the same out of the clinics and laboratories into community testing sites and homes. This review discusses the principle, technology, and strategies being used in antibody-based testing at present. It also underlines the immense prospect of immunoglobulin-based testing and the efficacy of repeated planned deployment in pandemic management and post-pandemic sustainable screenings globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Augustine
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha PO Box 2713, Qatar;
- Biomedical Research Center (BRC), Qatar University, Doha PO Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Suvarthi Das
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA;
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, Doha PO Box 2713, Qatar;
- Biomedical Research Center (BRC), Qatar University, Doha PO Box 2713, Qatar;
| | - Abhilash S
- Department of Microbiology, Majlis Arts and Science College, Puramannur, Malappuram, Kerala 676552, India;
| | - Shaheen Abdul Salam
- Department of Biosciences, MES College Marampally, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala 683107, India;
| | - Priya Augustine
- Department of Zoology, Providence Women’s College, Kozhikode, Kerala 673009, India;
| | - Yogesh Bharat Dalvi
- Pushpagiri Research Centre, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Science & Research, Tiruvalla, Kerala 689101, India; (Y.B.D.); (R.V.)
| | - Ruby Varghese
- Pushpagiri Research Centre, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Science & Research, Tiruvalla, Kerala 689101, India; (Y.B.D.); (R.V.)
| | - Rosita Primavera
- Interventional Regenerative Medicine and Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (R.P.); (A.S.T.); (B.D.K.)
| | | | - Avnesh S. Thakor
- Interventional Regenerative Medicine and Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (R.P.); (A.S.T.); (B.D.K.)
| | - Bhavesh D. Kevadiya
- Interventional Regenerative Medicine and Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (R.P.); (A.S.T.); (B.D.K.)
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14
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Miesler T, Wimschneider C, Brem A, Meinel L. Frugal Innovation for Point-of-Care Diagnostics Controlling Outbreaks and Epidemics. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:2709-2725. [PMID: 33463254 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Today epidemics of infectious diseases occur more often and spread both faster and further due to globalization and changes in our lifestyle. One way to meet these biological threats are so-called "Frugal Innovations", which focus on the development of affordable, rapid, and easy-to-use diagnostics with widespread use. In this context, point-of-care-tests (POCTs), performed at the patient's bedside, reduce extensive waiting times and unnecessary treatments and enable effective containment measures. This Perspective covers advances in POCT diagnostics on the basis of frugal innovation characteristics that will enable a faster, less expensive, and more convenient reaction to upcoming epidemics. Established POCT systems on the health care market, as well as currently evolving technological advancements in that sector are discussed. Progress in POCT technology and insights on how to most effectively use them allows the handling of more patients in a shorter time frame and consequently improves clinical outcomes at lower cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Miesler
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Christine Wimschneider
- Chair of Technology Management, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Dr.-Mack-Str. 81, 90762 Fürth, Germany
| | - Alexander Brem
- Institute of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 19, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.,Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 1, 6400 Sonderborg, Denmark
| | - Lorenz Meinel
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg Germany.,Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI), Würzburg, Germany
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15
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Chen H, Liu K, Li Z, Wang P. Point of care testing for infectious diseases. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 493:138-147. [PMID: 30853460 PMCID: PMC6462423 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms and can be transmitted between individuals and populations thus threatening the general public health and potentially the economy. Efficient diagnostic tools are needed to provide accurate and timely guidance for case identification, transmission disruption and appropriate treatment administration. Point of care (POC) tests provide actionable results near the patient and thereby serve as a personal "radar". In this review, we review clinical needs for POC testing for several major pathogens, including malaria parasites, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), dengue, Ebola and Zika viruses and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). We compare different molecular approaches, including pathogen nucleic acid and protein, circulating microRNA and antibodies, used in the POC tests. Finally, we review recent advances in novel POC technologies focusing on microfluidic and plasmonic-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Kengku Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Zhao Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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16
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Jiram AI, Ooi CH, Rubio JM, Hisam S, Karnan G, Sukor NM, Artic MM, Ismail NP, Alias NW. Evidence of asymptomatic submicroscopic malaria in low transmission areas in Belaga district, Kapit division, Sarawak, Malaysia. Malar J 2019; 18:156. [PMID: 31046769 PMCID: PMC6498596 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2786-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaysia has declared its aim to eliminate malaria with a goal of achieving zero local transmission by the year 2020. However, targeting the human reservoir of infection, including those with asymptomatic infection is required to achieve malaria elimination. Diagnosing asymptomatic malaria is not as straightforward due to the obvious lack of clinical manifestations and often subpatent level of parasites. Accurate diagnosis of malaria is important for providing realistic estimates of malaria burden and preventing misinformed interventions. Low levels of parasitaemia acts as silent reservoir of transmission thus remains infectious to susceptible mosquito vectors. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic submicroscopic malaria (SMM) in the District of Belaga, Sarawak. METHODS In 2013, a total of 1744 dried blood spots (DBS) were obtained from residents of 8 longhouses who appeared healthy. Subsequently, 251 venous blood samples were collected from residents of 2 localities in 2014 based on the highest number of submicroscopic cases from prior findings. Thin and thick blood films were prepared from blood obtained from all participants in this study. Microscopic examination were carried out on all samples and a nested and nested multiplex PCR were performed on samples collected in 2013 and 2014 respectively. RESULTS No malaria parasites were detected in all the Giemsa-stained blood films. However, of the 1744 samples, 29 (1.7%) were positive for Plasmodium vivax by PCR. Additionally, of the 251 samples, the most prevalent mono-infection detected by PCR was Plasmodium falciparum 50 (20%), followed by P. vivax 39 (16%), P. knowlesi 9 (4%), and mixed infections 20 (8%). CONCLUSIONS This research findings conclude evidence of Plasmodium by PCR, among samples previously undetectable by routine blood film microscopic examination, in local ethnic minority who are clinically healthy. SMM in Belaga district is attributed not only to P. vivax, but also to P. falciparum and P. knowlesi. In complementing efforts of programme managers, there is a need to increase surveillance for SMM nationwide to estimate the degree of SMM that warrant measures to block new transmission of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Ida Jiram
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Choo Huck Ooi
- Vector Borne Diseases Section, Sarawak Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Diplomatik Road, Off Bako Road, Petra Jaya, 93050, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - José Miguel Rubio
- Malaria & Emerging Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Parasitology Department, National Centre of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Carretera de Majadahonda - Pozuelo, km. 2,200, Majadahonda, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Shamilah Hisam
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Govindarajoo Karnan
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nurnadiah Mohd Sukor
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Mafie Artic
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Parina Ismail
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Wahida Alias
- Parasitology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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17
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Teh RN, Sumbele IUN, Asoba Nkeudem G, Meduke DN, Ojong ST, Kimbi HK. Concurrence of CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 RDT with microscopy in population screening for Plasmodium falciparum infection in the Mount Cameroon area: predictors for RDT positivity. Trop Med Health 2019; 47:17. [PMID: 30867636 PMCID: PMC6397448 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-019-0145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria remains a diagnostic challenge in many endemic communities. Although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are presently widely used for malaria diagnosis, there is a dearth of information on post-marketing surveillance on its efficacy in Cameroon. The present study evaluated the performance characteristics of CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 (histidine-rich protein 2) antigen (Ag) RDT in diagnosing Plasmodium falciparum infection in the Mount Cameroon area and predictors associated with RDT positivity. Methods The CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 Plasmodium falciparum (G0141) Ag RDT was evaluated in a cross-sectional community-based survey involving 491 children of both sexes aged 6 months to 14 years between April and May 2018. Malaria parasitaemia was confirmed by light microscopy. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of the RDT, and the corresponding accuracy and Kappa value (κ) were determined using microscopy as the gold standard. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser. Results were compared using the chi-square test and associations between predictor variables, and RDT results were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Microscopically confirmed malaria parasite prevalence was 27.7%, and geometric mean density was 187 parasites/μL of blood (range 70-1162). Se, Sp, PPV, NPV and accuracy were 82.4, 76.6, 57.4, 91.9 and 78.2%, respectively. Sensitivity depended on parasitaemia and reached 96.1% at densities ≥ 200 parasites/μL of blood. The accuracy of malaria parasitaemia (as assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) to predict malaria by RDT was 75.4% (95% CI 70.6-80.1). The agreement between microscopy and RDT was moderate (κ = 0.52). RDT positivity was significantly associated with fever (P < 0.001), children less than 5 years (P = 0.02), history of fever within a month (P < 0.001) and anaemia (P = 0.002). Conclusion The overall concurrence of CareStart™ Malaria HRP2 pf Ag RDT with microscopy in the detection of P. falciparum infection is moderate and is most useful at parasitaemia ≥ 200 parasites/μL of blood and presentation with fever. While RDT is effective as a diagnostic test for confirmation of clinical cases of malaria, its applications in population screening with a higher proportion of asymptomatic cases are limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Ning Teh
- 1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | | | - Gillian Asoba Nkeudem
- 1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.,2Department of Social Economy and Family Management, Higher Technical Teachers' Training College, University of Buea, P.O. Box 249, Kumba, Cameroon
| | - Derick Ndelle Meduke
- 1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Samuel Takang Ojong
- 1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.,3Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Helen Kuokuo Kimbi
- 1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.,4Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
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18
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Wang WX, Cheung YW, Dirkzwager RM, Wong WC, Tanner JA, Li HW, Wu Y. Specific and sensitive detection of Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase by DNA-scaffolded silver nanoclusters combined with an aptamer. Analyst 2018; 142:800-807. [PMID: 28139780 DOI: 10.1039/c6an02417c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Innovative nanomaterials offer significant potential for diagnosis of severe diseases of the developing world such as malaria. Small sized silver nanoclusters have shown promise for diagnostics due to their intense fluorescence emission and photo-stabilities. Here, double-stranded DNA-scaffolded silver nanoclusters (AgNCs-dsDNA) were prepared to detect the established malaria biomarker, Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH). Significant luminescence enhancement over a wide concentration range of PfLDH was demonstrated. In addition, a low limit of detection at 0.20 nM (7.4 pg μL-1) was achieved for PfLDH in buffer solution, sensitive enough for practical use correlating with the clinical level of PfLDH in plasma from malaria-infected patients. Unique specificity was observed towards Plasmodium falciparum over Plasmodium vivax and human lactate dehydrogenase, as well as other non-specific proteins, by combining the use of AgNCs-dsDNA with a DNA aptamer against PfLDH. Moreover, the intrinsic mechanism was revealed in detail for the two-step luminescence response. The combination of DNA-scaffolded silver nanoclusters coupled to a selective single-stranded DNA aptamer allows for a highly specific and sensitive detection of PfLDH with significant promise for malaria diagnosis in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Yee-Wai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S. A. R., China
| | - Roderick M Dirkzwager
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S. A. R., China
| | - Wai-Chung Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S. A. R., China
| | - Julian A Tanner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S. A. R., China
| | - Hong-Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Yuqing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, China.
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19
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Burnett JL, Carns JL, Richards-Kortum R. Towards a needle-free diagnosis of malaria: in vivo identification and classification of red and white blood cells containing haemozoin. Malar J 2017; 16:447. [PMID: 29115957 PMCID: PMC5678583 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-2096-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optical detection of circulating haemozoin has been suggested as a needle free method to diagnose malaria using in vivo microscopy. Haemozoin is generated within infected red blood cells by the malaria parasite, serving as a highly specific, endogenous biomarker of malaria. However, phagocytosis of haemozoin by white blood cells which persist after the infection is resolved presents the potential for false positive diagnosis; therefore, the focus of this work is to identify a feature of the haemozoin signal to discriminate between infected red blood cells and haemozoin-containing white blood cells. Methods Conventional brightfield microscopy of thin film blood smears was used to analyse haemozoin absorbance signal in vitro. Cell type and parasite maturity were morphologically determined using colocalized DAPI staining. The ability of features to discriminate between infected red blood cells and haemozoin-containing white blood cells was evaluated using images of smears from subjects infected with two species of Plasmodium, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium falciparum. Discriminating features identified by blood smear microscopy were characterized in vivo in P. yoelii-infected mice. Results Two features of the haemozoin signal, haemozoin diameter and normalized intensity difference, were identified as potential parameters to differentiate infected red blood cells and haemozoin-containing white blood cells. Classification performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, with area under the curve values of 0.89 for the diameter parameter and 0.85 for the intensity parameter when assessed in P. yoelii samples. Similar results were obtained from P. falciparum blood smears, showing an AUC of 0.93 or greater for both classification features. For in vivo investigations, the intensity-based metric was the best classifier, with an AUC of 0.91. Conclusions This work demonstrates that size and intensity features of haemozoin absorbance signal collected by in vivo microscopy are effective classification metrics to discriminate infected red blood cells from haemozoin-containing white blood cells. This reduces the potential for false positive results associated with optical imaging strategies for in vivo diagnosis of malaria based on the endogenous biomarker haemozoin. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-017-2096-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Burnett
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Carns
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
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Point-of-Care Testing for Infectious Diseases: Past, Present, and Future. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:2313-2320. [PMID: 28539345 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00476-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics provide rapid actionable information for patient care at the time and site of an encounter with the health care system. The usual platform has been the lateral flow immunoassay. Recently, emerging molecular diagnostics have met requirements for speed, low cost, and ease of use for POC applications. A major driver for POC development is the ability to diagnose infectious diseases at sites with a limited infrastructure. The potential use in both wealthy and resource-limited settings has fueled an intense effort to build on existing technologies and to generate new technologies for the diagnosis of a broad spectrum of infectious diseases.
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Boyce MR, O'Meara WP. Use of malaria RDTs in various health contexts across sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:470. [PMID: 28521798 PMCID: PMC5437623 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4398-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends parasitological confirmation of malaria prior to treatment. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) represent one diagnostic method that is used in a variety of contexts to overcome limitations of other diagnostic techniques. Malaria RDTs increase the availability and feasibility of accurate diagnosis and may result in improved quality of care. Though RDTs are used in a variety of contexts, no studies have compared how well or effectively RDTs are used across these contexts. This review assesses the diagnostic use of RDTs in four different contexts: health facilities, the community, drug shops and schools. METHODS A comprehensive search of the Pubmed database was conducted to evaluate RDT execution, test accuracy, or adherence to test results in sub-Saharan Africa. Original RDT and Plasmodium falciparum focused studies conducted in formal health care facilities, drug shops, schools, or by CHWs between the year 2000 and December 2016 were included. Studies were excluded if they were conducted exclusively in a research laboratory setting, where staff from the study team conducted RDTs, or in settings outside of sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS The literature search identified 757 reports. A total of 52 studies were included in the analysis. Overall, RDTs were performed safely and effectively by community health workers provided they receive proper training. Analogous information was largely absent for formal health care workers. Tests were generally accurate across contexts, except for in drug shops where lower specificities were observed. Adherence to RDT results was higher among drug shop vendors and community health workers, while adherence was more variable among formal health care workers, most notably with negative test results. CONCLUSIONS Malaria RDTs are generally used well, though compliance with test results is variable - especially in the formal health care sector. If low adherence rates are extrapolated, thousands of patients may be incorrectly diagnosed and receive inappropriate treatment resulting in a low quality of care and unnecessary drug use. Multidisciplinary research should continue to explore determinants of good RDT use, and seek to better understand how to support and sustain the correct use of this diagnostic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy P O'Meara
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.,School of Public Health, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
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22
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Chandler CIR, Webb EL, Maiteki-Sebuguzi C, Nayiga S, Nabirye C, DiLiberto DD, Ssemmondo E, Dorsey G, Kamya MR, Staedke SG. The impact of an intervention to introduce malaria rapid diagnostic tests on fever case management in a high transmission setting in Uganda: A mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial (PRIME). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170998. [PMID: 28288172 PMCID: PMC5347994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) have been scaled-up widely across Africa. The PRIME study evaluated an intervention aiming to improve fever case management using mRDTs at public health centers in Uganda. METHODS A cluster-randomized trial was conducted from 2010-13 in Tororo, a high malaria transmission setting. Twenty public health centers were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control. The intervention included training in health center management, fever case management with mRDTs, and patient-centered services; plus provision of mRDTs and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) when stocks ran low. Three rounds of Interviews were conducted with caregivers of children under five years of age as they exited health centers (N = 1400); reference mRDTs were done in children with fever (N = 1336). Health worker perspectives on mRDTs were elicited through semi-structured questionnaires (N = 49) and in-depth interviews (N = 10). The primary outcome was inappropriate treatment of malaria, defined as the proportion of febrile children who were not treated according to guidelines based on the reference mRDT. FINDINGS There was no difference in inappropriate treatment of malaria between the intervention and control arms (24.0% versus 29.7%, adjusted risk ratio 0.81 [95% CI: 0.56, 1.17] p = 0.24). Most children (76.0%) tested positive by reference mRDT, but many were not prescribed AL (22.5% intervention versus 25.9% control, p = 0.53). Inappropriate treatment of children testing negative by reference mRDT with AL was also common (31.3% invention vs 42.4% control, p = 0.29). Health workers appreciated mRDTs but felt that integrating testing into practice was challenging given constraints on time and infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS The PRIME intervention did not have the desired impact on inappropriate treatment of malaria for children under five. In this high transmission setting, use of mRDTs did not lead to the reductions in antimalarial prescribing seen elsewhere. Broader investment in health systems, including infrastructure and staffing, will be required to improve fever case management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily L. Webb
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Susan Nayiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Grant Dorsey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, United States of America
| | - Moses R. Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah G. Staedke
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- * E-mail:
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Phillips V, Njau J, Li S, Kachur P. Simulations Show Diagnostic Testing For Malaria In Young African Children Can Be Cost-Saving Or Cost-Effective. Health Aff (Millwood) 2016; 34:1196-203. [PMID: 26153315 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Malaria imposes a substantial global disease burden. It disproportionately affects sub-Saharan Africans, particularly young children. In an effort to improve disease management, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended in 2010 that countries test children younger than age five who present with suspected malaria fever to confirm the diagnosis instead of treating them presumptively with antimalarial drugs. Costs and concerns about the overall health impact of such diagnostic testing for malaria in children remain barriers to full implementation. Using data from national Malaria Indicator Surveys, we estimated two-stage microsimulation models for Angola, Tanzania, and Uganda to assess the policy's cost-effectiveness. We found that diagnostic testing for malaria in children younger than five is cost-saving in Angola. In Tanzania and Uganda the cost per life-year gained is $5.54 and $94.28, respectively. The costs projected for Tanzania and Uganda are less than the WHO standard of $150 per life-year gained. Our results were robust under varying assumptions about cost, prevalence of malaria, and behavior, and they strongly suggest the pursuit of policies that facilitate full implementation of testing for malaria in children younger than five.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Phillips
- Victoria Phillips is an associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joseph Njau
- Joseph Njau is a prevention effectiveness fellow in the Global Immunization Division in the Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Atlanta
| | - Shang Li
- Shang Li is a health care analyst at Analysis Group, in New York City
| | - Patrick Kachur
- Patrick Kachur is a medical epidemiologist and chief of the Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Disease and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC
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24
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Parpia AS, Ndeffo-Mbah ML, Wenzel NS, Galvani AP. Effects of Response to 2014-2015 Ebola Outbreak on Deaths from Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis, West Africa. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 22:433-41. [PMID: 26886846 PMCID: PMC4766886 DOI: 10.3201/eid2203.150977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced access to healthcare during the outbreak substantially increased mortality rates from other diseases. Response to the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa overwhelmed the healthcare systems of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, reducing access to health services for diagnosis and treatment for the major diseases that are endemic to the region: malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. To estimate the repercussions of the Ebola outbreak on the populations at risk for these diseases, we developed computational models for disease transmission and infection progression. We estimated that a 50% reduction in access to healthcare services during the Ebola outbreak exacerbated malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis mortality rates by additional death counts of 6,269 (2,564–12,407) in Guinea; 1,535 (522–2,8780) in Liberia; and 2,819 (844–4,844) in Sierra Leone. The 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak was catastrophic in these countries, and its indirect impact of increasing the mortality rates of other diseases was also substantial.
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Staedke SG, Maiteki-Sebuguzi C, DiLiberto DD, Webb EL, Mugenyi L, Mbabazi E, Gonahasa S, Kigozi SP, Willey BA, Dorsey G, Kamya MR, Chandler CIR. The Impact of an Intervention to Improve Malaria Care in Public Health Centers on Health Indicators of Children in Tororo, Uganda (PRIME): A Cluster-Randomized Trial. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:358-367. [PMID: 27273646 PMCID: PMC4973182 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimizing quality of care for malaria and other febrile illnesses is a complex challenge of major public health importance. To evaluate the impact of an intervention aiming to improve malaria case management on the health of community children, a cluster-randomized trial was conducted from 2010–2013 in Tororo, Uganda, where malaria transmission is high. Twenty public health centers were included; 10 were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control. Households within 2 km of health centers provided the sampling frame for the evaluation. The PRIME intervention included training in fever case management using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), patient-centered services, and health center management; plus provision of mRDTs and artemether–lumefantrine. Cross-sectional community surveys were conducted at baseline and endline (N = 8,766), and a cohort of children was followed for approximately 18 months (N = 992). The primary outcome was prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL) in children under 5 years of age in the final community survey. The intervention was delivered successfully; however, no differences in prevalence of anemia or parasitemia were observed between the study arms in the final community survey or the cohort. In the final survey, prevalence of anemia in children under 5 years of age was 62.5% in the intervention versus 63.1% in control (adjusted risk ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval = 0.91–1.13; P = 0.82). The PRIME intervention, focusing on training and commodities, did not produce the expected health benefits in community children in Tororo. This challenges common assumptions that improving quality of care and access to malaria diagnostics will yield health gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G Staedke
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Deborah D DiLiberto
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily L Webb
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Levi Mugenyi
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,I-Biostat, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Edith Mbabazi
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Simon P Kigozi
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Barbara A Willey
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grant Dorsey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Clare I R Chandler
- Department of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Statistics, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Beisel U, Umlauf R, Hutchinson E, Chandler CIR. The complexities of simple technologies: re-imagining the role of rapid diagnostic tests in malaria control efforts. Malar J 2016; 15:64. [PMID: 26850000 PMCID: PMC4743404 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-016-1083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are assumed to be simple-to-use and mobile technologies that have the capacity to standardize parasitological diagnosis for malaria across a variety of clinical settings. In order to evaluate these tests, it is important to consider how such assumptions play out in practice, in everyday settings of clinics, health centres, drug stores and for community health volunteers. Methods This paper draws on qualitative research on RDTs conducted over the last nine years. In particular the study reports on four qualitative case studies on the use of RDTs from Uganda, Tanzania and Sierra Leone, including qualitative interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation. Results Results suggest that while RDTs may be simple to use as stand-alone technological tools, it is not trivial to make them work effectively in a variety of economically pressured health care settings. The studies show that to perform RDTs effectively might very well need exactly the infrastructure they were designed to substitute: the medical expertise, organizational capacity and diagnostic and treatment options of well-funded and functioning health systems. Conclusions These results underline that successful malaria diagnosis and treatment requires as much investment in general health infrastructure as it does in new technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uli Beisel
- Department of Anthropology, Bayreuth University, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - René Umlauf
- Department of Sociology, Bayreuth University, Universitätsstraße 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Eleanor Hutchinson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Clare I R Chandler
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
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Burnett JL, Carns JL, Richards-Kortum R. In vivo microscopy of hemozoin: towards a needle free diagnostic for malaria. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 6:3462-74. [PMID: 26417515 PMCID: PMC4574671 DOI: 10.1364/boe.6.003462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Clinical diagnosis of malaria suffers from poor specificity leading to overtreatment with antimalarial medications. Alternatives, like blood smear microscopy or antigen-based tests, require a blood sample. We investigate in vivo microscopy as a needle-free malaria diagnostic. Two optical signatures, birefringence and absorbance, of the endogenous malaria by-product hemozoin were evaluated as in vivo optical biomarkers. Hemozoin birefringence was difficult to detect in highly scattering tissue; however, hemozoin absorbance was observed in increasingly complex biological environments and detectable over a clinically-relevant range of parasitemia in vivo in a P. yoelii-infected mouse model of malaria.
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Ekawati LL, Herdiana H, Sumiwi ME, Barussanah C, Ainun C, Sabri S, Maulana T, Rahmadyani R, Maneh C, Yani M, Valenti P, Elyazar IRF, Hawley WA. A comprehensive assessment of the malaria microscopy system of Aceh, Indonesia, in preparation for malaria elimination. Malar J 2015; 14:240. [PMID: 26062808 PMCID: PMC4480988 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0746-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Health Office of Aceh aims to eliminate malaria from Aceh Province, Indonesia by 2015. Malaria was formerly common in Aceh (population 4.5 million), but has declined dramatically in recent years consequent to post-tsunami control efforts. Successful elimination will depend upon rapid and accurate diagnosis and case follow-up at community level. A prerequisite to this is widespread coverage of high quality malaria diagnosis. This study describes the results of a comprehensive assessment of the malaria diagnostic capacity in Aceh as the province moves towards malaria elimination. Methods The study was conducted in 23 districts in Aceh from October 2010 to July 2011. Six types of questionnaires were used to collect data on competency of microscopists and laboratory capacity. Standardized slides were used to evaluate the proficiency of all microscopists. In addition, site visits to 17 primary health centres (PHC) assessed diagnostic practice and logistics capacity. Results Five hundred and seventy four malaria microscopists have been officially registered and assigned to duty in the 23 districts in Aceh Province. They work in 345 laboratories, predominantly in PHCs (69 %) and hospitals (25 %). Three laboratories were evaluated as adequate for all 30 elements, while 29 laboratories were adequate for less than five of 30 elements. Standardized proficiency tests showed that 413 microscopists were at basic (in training) level, with 10 advanced and 9 reference level. No microscopist achieved expert level. Neither the province nor any of Aceh’s districts has a standardized inventory and logistics database for malaria diagnostics, nor did any of the surveyed laboratories operate a quality assurance programme for either microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of careful assessment of diagnostic capacity when embarking upon a large-scale malaria elimination programme. Aceh’s laboratories have minimal infrastructure with nearly all microscopists still in training. On the positive side, a large workforce of microscopists has been assigned to laboratories with the needed equipment. Aceh will need to embark on a large-scale comprehensive quality assurance scheme if it is to achieve malaria elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenny L Ekawati
- Paritrana Asia Foundation, Jalan Utama 113, 12640, Jakarta, Indonesia. .,Eijkman-Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Jalan Diponegoro 69, 10430, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Herdiana Herdiana
- United Nation Children's Fund Banda Aceh Zone Office, Jalan Mesjid Shadaqah 2, Lamlagang, 23243, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Maria E Sumiwi
- United Nation Children's Fund Indonesia, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kavling 31, 12920, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - Cut Barussanah
- Aceh Provincial Health Office, Jalan Teungku Syech Mudawali 6, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Cut Ainun
- Aceh Provincial Health Laboratory, Jalan Teungku Muhammad Daud Beureuh 168, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Sabri Sabri
- Aceh Provincial Health Laboratory, Jalan Teungku Muhammad Daud Beureuh 168, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Teuku Maulana
- Aceh Provincial Health Office, Jalan Teungku Syech Mudawali 6, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Rahmadyani Rahmadyani
- Aceh Provincial Health Office, Jalan Teungku Syech Mudawali 6, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Cut Maneh
- Aceh Provincial Health Laboratory, Jalan Teungku Muhammad Daud Beureuh 168, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Muhammad Yani
- Aceh Provincial Health Office, Jalan Teungku Syech Mudawali 6, 23242, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Paola Valenti
- United Nation Children's Fund Banda Aceh Zone Office, Jalan Mesjid Shadaqah 2, Lamlagang, 23243, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
| | - Iqbal R F Elyazar
- Eijkman-Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Jalan Diponegoro 69, 10430, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | - William A Hawley
- United Nation Children's Fund Indonesia, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kavling 31, 12920, Jakarta, Indonesia.
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Cohen J, Cox A, Dickens W, Maloney K, Lam F, Fink G. Determinants of malaria diagnostic uptake in the retail sector: qualitative analysis from focus groups in Uganda. Malar J 2015; 14:89. [PMID: 25884736 PMCID: PMC4338828 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0590-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Uganda, as in most other malaria-endemic countries, presumptive treatment for malaria based on symptoms without a diagnostic blood test is still very common. While diagnostic testing in public sector facilities is increasing, many people in Uganda who suspect malaria visit private sector outlets to purchase medications. Increasing the availability and uptake of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria in private outlets could help increase diagnostic testing for malaria but raises questions about the patient demand for and valuation of testing that are less critical for public sector introduction. METHODS In preparation for a behaviour change campaign to encourage and sustain the demand for RDTs in drug shops, eight focus group discussions with a total of 84 community members were conducted in six districts across Uganda's Eastern Region in November-December 2011. Focus groups explored incentives and barriers to seeking diagnosis for malaria, how people react to test results and why, and what can be done to increase the willingness to pay for RDTs. RESULTS Overall, participants were very familiar with malaria diagnostic testing and understood its importance, yet when faced with limited financial resources, patients preferred to spend their money on medication and sought testing only when presumptive treatment proved ineffective. While side effects did seem to be a concern, participants did not mention other potential costs of taking unnecessary or ineffective medications, such as money wasted on excess drugs or delays in resolution of symptoms. Very few individuals were familiar with RDTs. CONCLUSION In order to boost demand, these results suggest that private sector RDTs will have to be made convenient and affordable and that targeted behaviour change campaigns should strive to increase the perceived value of diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Cohen
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alex Cox
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - William Dickens
- Department of Economics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kathleen Maloney
- Malaria Control Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Felix Lam
- Essential Medicines Team, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Günther Fink
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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Ndong IC, van Reenen M, Boakye DA, Mbacham WF, Grobler AF. Trends in malaria admissions at the Mbakong Health Centre of the North West Region of Cameroon: a retrospective study. Malar J 2014; 13:328. [PMID: 25145498 PMCID: PMC4247771 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is the leading cause of death worldwide. It is urgent to assess the impact of interventions and scaled-up control efforts. Despite reported reduction in malaria prevalence in Africa, the trends in Cameroon are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the trends in malaria admissions among febrile patients seeking treatment over a seven-year period (2006–2012) in an endemic area in Cameroon, hypothesizing a declining trend. This period followed changes in malaria treatment policy. The objectives were to identify possible trends in malaria admissions and to evaluate the impact of changes to treatment guidelines on the prevalence. Methods Data was collected through consultation and perusal of laboratory and prescription registers of the Mbakong Health Centre. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and SAS Statistics. Results Analysis revealed that 4,230 febrile patients were received from 2006–2012. Of these febrile cases, 29.30% were confirmed positive. Between 2006 and 2012 confirmed malaria positive cases of those tested fluctuated, dropping from 53.21% in 2006 to 17.20% in 2008; then rising to 35.00% in 2011 and, finally, dropping to 18.2% of those tested in 2012. The prevalence in females and males across all age groups were similar: a slightly higher risk of males to have malaria (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.94-1.25) were not practically significant. Of those tested, the 5 to < 15 years and the 1 to < 5 years age groups were the hardest hit by malaria in the area. A practically visible and significant association was observed between the age and gender with regards to the number of malaria positive results (Pearson ×2 = 153.675, p < 0.00001, Cramer’s V = 0.352). Malaria prevalence exhibited a fluctuating yet declining trend, as observed over the 28 quarters between January, 2006 and December, 2012. Conclusions The changes to the treatment guidelines appear to result in a declining trend as was observed between 2006 and 2008. However, malaria admissions fluctuated between 2008 and 2012. There is, therefore, a need to step up control efforts of especially the vulnerable groups, such as the very young. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1475-2875-13-328) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignatius C Ndong
- DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
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Iwelunmor J, Belue R, Nwosa I, Adedokun A, Airhihenbuwa CO. Case-Management of Malaria in Children Attending an Outpatient Clinic in Southwest Nigeria. INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY OF COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION 2014; 34:255-67. [DOI: 10.2190/iq.34.3.d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the case-management of malaria in 135 febrile children attending an outpatient clinic in southwest Nigeria. Specifically, we examined the degree of concordance between physician's diagnosis of malaria, maternal perceptions of child febrile illness, and the results of malaria rapid diagnostic tests. The results indicate poor concordance in the diagnosis of malaria by physicians and the results of malaria RDTs (κ = 0.030, p-value = 0.269) as well as between mother's perception of malaria in their children and malaria RDTs (κ = 0.071, p-value = 0.369). While physicians can correctly identify children that have malaria according to the RDT test (Sensitivity = 95.23%), they were poor identifiers of children who do not have malaria (Specificity = 13.15). On the other hand, while mothers are poor identifiers of children that have malaria according to the malaria RDT test (Sensitivity = 38.1%), they are better at identifying children who do not have malaria (Specificity = 71.1%). The findings demonstrate the importance of exploring the contextual factors that influence case management of child malaria in outpatient clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rhonda Belue
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
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Taylor BJ, Howell A, Martin KA, Manage DP, Gordy W, Campbell SD, Lam S, Jin A, Polley SD, Samuel RA, Atrazhev A, Stickel AJ, Birungi J, Mbonye AK, Pilarski LM, Acker JP, Yanow SK. A lab-on-chip for malaria diagnosis and surveillance. Malar J 2014; 13:179. [PMID: 24885206 PMCID: PMC4029813 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Access to timely and accurate diagnostic tests has a significant impact in the management of diseases of global concern such as malaria. While molecular diagnostics satisfy this need effectively in developed countries, barriers in technology, reagent storage, cost and expertise have hampered the introduction of these methods in developing countries. In this study a simple, lab-on-chip PCR diagnostic was created for malaria that overcomes these challenges. Methods The platform consists of a disposable plastic chip and a low-cost, portable, real-time PCR machine. The chip contains a desiccated hydrogel with reagents needed for Plasmodium specific PCR. Chips can be stored at room temperature and used on demand by rehydrating the gel with unprocessed blood, avoiding the need for sample preparation. These chips were run on a custom-built instrument containing a Peltier element for thermal cycling and a laser/camera setup for amplicon detection. Results This diagnostic was capable of detecting all Plasmodium species with a limit of detection for Plasmodium falciparum of 2 parasites/μL of blood. This exceeds the sensitivity of microscopy, the current standard for diagnosis in the field, by ten to fifty-fold. In a blind panel of 188 patient samples from a hyper-endemic region of malaria transmission in Uganda, the diagnostic had high sensitivity (97.4%) and specificity (93.8%) versus conventional real-time PCR. The test also distinguished the two most prevalent malaria species in mixed infections, P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. A second blind panel of 38 patient samples was tested on a streamlined instrument with LED-based excitation, achieving a sensitivity of 96.7% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions These results describe the development of a lab-on-chip PCR diagnostic from initial concept to ready-for-manufacture design. This platform will be useful in front-line malaria diagnosis, elimination programmes, and clinical trials. Furthermore, test chips can be adapted to detect other pathogens for a differential diagnosis in the field. The flexibility, reliability, and robustness of this technology hold much promise for its use as a novel molecular diagnostic platform in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stephanie K Yanow
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, WMC 2B4,59, 8440 - 112th Street, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Fung AO, Mykhaylova N. Analysis of Airborne Biomarkers for Point-of-Care Diagnostics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19:225-47. [PMID: 24464813 DOI: 10.1177/2211068213517119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Treatable diseases continue to exact a heavy burden worldwide despite powerful advances in treatment. Diagnostics play crucial roles in the detection, management, and ultimate prevention of these diseases by guiding the allocation of precious medical resources. Motivated by globalization and evolving disease, and enabled by advances in molecular pathology, the scientific community has produced an explosion of research on miniaturized integrated biosensor platforms for disease detection. Low-cost, automated tests promise accessibility in low-resource settings by loosening constraints around infrastructure and usability. To address the challenges raised by invasive and intrusive sample collection, researchers are exploring alternative biomarkers in various specimens. Specifically, patient-generated airborne biomarkers suit minimally invasive collection and automated analysis. Disease biomarkers are known to exist in aerosols and volatile compounds in breath, odor, and headspace, media that can be exploited for field-ready diagnostics. This article reviews global disease priorities and the characteristics of low-resource settings. It surveys existing technologies for the analysis of bioaerosols and volatile organic compounds, and emerging technologies that could enable their translation to the point of care. Engineering advances promise to enable appropriate diagnostics by detecting chemical and microbial markers. Nonetheless, further innovation and cost reduction are needed for these technologies to broadly affect global health.
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Abstract
Malaria is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and accurate diagnostic testing for malaria can potentially save an estimated 100,000 lives annually. New technologies have the potential to circumvent limitations of the traditional diagnostic method, light microscopy, which is labor intensive and requires considerable technician expertise. Immunochromatographic tests, which are easy to use in field conditions and relatively inexpensive, offer a potential solution to the problem of malaria overtreatment in resource-poor endemic countries. Assays based on the PCR are highly sensitive, can be used for unambiguous species identification and, thus, may increasingly complement or even replace light microscopy in developed countries. Experimental diagnostics using flow cytometry and mass spectrometry are currently under investigation for high-throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hawkes
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto, MaRS Centre, Toronto Medical Discovery Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Abou Tayoun AN, Burchard PR, Malik I, Scherer A, Tsongalis GJ. Democratizing molecular diagnostics for the developing world. Am J Clin Pathol 2014; 141:17-24. [PMID: 24343733 DOI: 10.1309/ajcpa1l4kpxbjnpg] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Infectious diseases that are largely treatable continue to pose a tremendous burden on the developing world despite the availability of highly potent drugs. The high mortality and morbidity rates of these diseases are largely due to a lack of affordable diagnostics that are accessible to resource-limited areas and that can deliver high-quality results. In fact, modified molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases were rated as the top biotechnology to improve health in developing countries. METHODS In this review, we describe the characteristics of accessible molecular diagnostic tools and discuss the challenges associated with implementing such tools at low infrastructure sites. RESULTS We highlight our experience as part of the "Grand Challenge" project supported by the Gates Foundation for addressing global health inequities and describe issues and solutions associated with developing adequate technologies or molecular assays needed for broad access in the developing world. CONCLUSIONS We believe that sharing this knowledge will facilitate the development of new molecular technologies that are extremely valuable for improving global health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul R. Burchard
- Department of Pathology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH
| | - Imran Malik
- Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
| | - Axel Scherer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
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Neonatal severe bacterial infection impairment estimates in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America for 2010. Pediatr Res 2013; 74 Suppl 1:73-85. [PMID: 24366464 PMCID: PMC3873707 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2013.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of neonatal infections are at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), a burden not previously systematically quantified and yet important for program priority setting. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were undertaken and applied in a three-step compartmental model to estimate NDI cases after severe neonatal bacterial infection in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America in neonates of >32 wk gestation (or >1,500 g). METHODS We estimated cases of sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, or no severe bacterial infection from among estimated cases of possible severe bacterial infection ((pSBI) step 1). We applied respective case fatality risks ((CFRs) step 2) and the NDI risk among survivors (step 3). For neonatal tetanus, incidence estimates were based on the estimated deaths, CFRs, and risk of subsequent NDI. RESULTS For 2010, we estimated 1.7 million (uncertainty range: 1.1-2.4 million) cases of neonatal sepsis, 200,000 (21,000-350,000) cases of meningitis, 510,000 cases (150,000-930,000) of pneumonia, and 79,000 cases (70,000-930,000) of tetanus in neonates >32 wk gestation (or >1,500 g). Among the survivors, we estimated moderate to severe NDI after neonatal meningitis in 23% (95% confidence interval: 19-26%) of survivors, 18,000 (2,700-35,000) cases, and after neonatal tetanus in 16% (6-27%), 4,700 cases (1,700-8,900). CONCLUSION Data are lacking for impairment after neonatal sepsis and pneumonia, especially among those of >32 wk gestation. Improved recognition and treatment of pSBI will reduce neonatal mortality. Lack of follow-up data for survivors of severe bacterial infections, particularly sepsis, was striking. Given the high incidence of sepsis, even minor NDI would be of major public health importance. Prevention of neonatal infection, improved case management, and support for children with NDI are all important strategies, currently receiving limited policy attention.
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Cheung YW, Kwok J, Law AWL, Watt RM, Kotaka M, Tanner JA. Structural basis for discriminatory recognition of Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase by a DNA aptamer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:15967-72. [PMID: 24043813 PMCID: PMC3791781 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1309538110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA aptamers have significant potential as diagnostic and therapeutic agents, but the paucity of DNA aptamer-target structures limits understanding of their molecular binding mechanisms. Here, we report a distorted hairpin structure of a DNA aptamer in complex with an important diagnostic target for malaria: Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH). Aptamers selected from a DNA library were highly specific and discriminatory for Plasmodium as opposed to human lactate dehydrogenase because of a counterselection strategy used during selection. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed aptamer binding to PfLDH with a dissociation constant of 42 nM and 2:1 protein:aptamer molar stoichiometry. Dissociation constants derived from electrophoretic mobility shift assays and surface plasmon resonance experiments were consistent. The aptamer:protein complex crystal structure was solved at 2.1-Å resolution, revealing two aptamers bind per PfLDH tetramer. The aptamers showed a unique distorted hairpin structure in complex with PfLDH, displaying a Watson-Crick base-paired stem together with two distinct loops each with one base flipped out by specific interactions with PfLDH. Aptamer binding specificity is dictated by extensive interactions of one of the aptamer loops with a PfLDH loop that is absent in human lactate dehydrogenase. We conjugated the aptamer to gold nanoparticles and demonstrated specificity of colorimetric detection of PfLDH over human lactate dehydrogenase. This unique distorted hairpin aptamer complex provides a perspective on aptamer-mediated molecular recognition and may guide rational design of better aptamers for malaria diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Kwok
- Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and
| | | | - Rory M. Watt
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
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Ansah EK, Epokor M, Whitty CJM, Yeung S, Hansen KS. Cost-effectiveness analysis of introducing RDTs for malaria diagnosis as compared to microscopy and presumptive diagnosis in central and peripheral public health facilities in Ghana. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013; 89:724-736. [PMID: 23980131 PMCID: PMC3795104 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Cost-effectiveness information on where malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) should be introduced is limited. We developed incremental cost-effectiveness analyses with data from rural health facilities in Ghana with and without microscopy. In the latter, where diagnosis had been presumptive, the introduction of RDTs increased the proportion of patients who were correctly treated in relation to treatment with antimalarials, from 42% to 65% at an incremental societal cost of Ghana cedis (GHS)12.2 (US$8.3) per additional correctly treated patients. In the "microscopy setting" there was no advantage to replacing microscopy by RDT as the cost and proportion of correctly treated patients were similar. Results were sensitive to a decrease in the cost of RDTs, which cost GHS1.72 (US$1.17) per test at the time of the study and to improvements in adherence to negative tests that was just above 50% for both RDTs and microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kristian Schultz Hansen
- *Address correspondence to Kristian Schultz Hansen, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK. E-mail:
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Rao VB, Schellenberg D, Ghani AC. The potential impact of improving appropriate treatment for fever on malaria and non-malarial febrile illness management in under-5s: a decision-tree modelling approach. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69654. [PMID: 23922770 PMCID: PMC3726763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As international funding for malaria programmes plateaus, limited resources must be rationally managed for malaria and non-malarial febrile illnesses (NMFI). Given widespread unnecessary treatment of NMFI with first-line antimalarial Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs), our aim was to estimate the effect of health-systems factors on rates of appropriate treatment for fever and on use of ACTs. Methods A decision-tree tool was developed to investigate the impact of improving aspects of the fever care-pathway and also evaluate the impact in Tanzania of the revised WHO malaria guidelines advocating diagnostic-led management Results Model outputs using baseline parameters suggest 49% malaria cases attending a clinic would receive ACTs (95% Uncertainty Interval:40.6–59.2%) but that 44% (95% UI:35–54.8%) NMFI cases would also receive ACTs. Provision of 100% ACT stock predicted a 28.9% increase in malaria cases treated with ACT, but also an increase in overtreatment of NMFI, with 70% NMFI cases (95% UI:56.4–79.2%) projected to receive ACTs, and thus an overall 13% reduction (95% UI:5–21.6%) in correct management of febrile cases. Modelling increased availability or use of diagnostics had little effect on malaria management outputs, but may significantly reduce NMFI overtreatment. The model predicts the early rollout of revised WHO guidelines in Tanzania may have led to a 35% decrease (95% UI:31.2–39.8%) in NMFI overtreatment, but also a 19.5% reduction (95% UI:11–27.2%), in malaria cases receiving ACTs, due to a potential fourfold decrease in cases that were untested or tested false-negative (42.5% vs.8.9%) and so untreated. Discussion Modelling multi-pronged intervention strategies proved most effective to improve malaria treatment without increasing NMFI overtreatment. As malaria transmission declines, health system interventions must be guided by whether the management priority is an increase in malaria cases receiving ACTs (reducing the treatment gap), reducing ACT waste through unnecessary treatment of NMFI or expanding appropriate treatment of all febrile illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bhargavi Rao
- Medical Research Council Centre for Outbreak Analysis & Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Wangai LN, Karau MG, Njiruh PN, Sabah O, Kimani FT, Magoma G, Kiambo N. Sensitivity of microscopy compared to molecular diagnosis of p. Falciparum: implications on malaria treatment in epidemic areas in kenya. Afr J Infect Dis 2013; 5:1-6. [PMID: 23878701 PMCID: PMC3497842 DOI: 10.4314/ajid.v5i1.66504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of Plasmodium species by microscopy has been the gold standard for diagnosis of malaria for more than a century. Despite the fact that there is a significant decline in the number of positive cases reported from microscopy, antimalarial drugs prescriptions are on continuous increase as patients present with symptoms of malaria. This makes it difficult to establish accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of light microscopy in diagnosis of malaria in epidemic areas. This study was designed to compare microscopy with polymerase chain reaction as diagnostic methods for malaria in three epidemic areas in Kenya. A total of 356 patients presenting with malaria symptoms were diagnosed by microscopy and dried blood filter paper spots were collected from patient in Kisii, West Pokot and Narok districts. Plasmodium falciparum DNA was extracted from the dried blood filter samples. Primers specific for the Plasmodium Species were designed and used in a two step amplification of the Pfmdr gene. The PCR products were analyzed in ethidium bromide stained 1.5% agarose gel. It was found that 72 out of 350 specimens diagnosed as negative were positive for P. falciparum by nested PCR, while 6 which were microscopy positive were confirmed so by nested PCR. This study demonstrates that there is a high level of misdiagnosis which may either lead to denial for deserved treatment or undeserved treatment. Nested PCR detection of malaria parasites is a very useful complement to microscopy although it is expensive and takes long time. Additionally, smear negative patients suspected to have malaria should be subjected to PCR diagnosis to improve rational drug use. The economic burden of misdiagnosis and mistreatment of malaria outweighs that of PCR diagnosis, hence this diagnostic mode could be tenable in the long run even in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyawira Wangai
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (ITROMID), P.O. Box 54840-00200 Nairobi, Kenya ; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Biochemistry Department, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
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Walia K. Point of care investigations in pediatric care to improve health care in rural areas. Indian J Pediatr 2013; 80:576-84. [PMID: 23564518 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-013-1016-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The good quality laboratory services in developing countries are often limited to major urban centers. As a result, many commercially available high-quality diagnostic tests for infectious diseases are neither accessible nor affordable to patients in the rural areas. Health facilities in rural areas are compromised and this limits the usability and performance of the best medical diagnostic technologies in rural areas as they are designed for air-conditioned laboratories, refrigerated storage of chemicals, a constant supply of calibrators and reagents, stable electrical power, highly trained personnel and rapid transportation of samples. The advent of new technologies have allowed miniaturization and integration of complex functions, which has made it possible for sophisticated diagnostic tools to move out of the developed-world laboratory in the form of a "point of care"(POC) tests. Many diagnostic tests are being developed using these platforms. However, the challenge is to develop diagnostics which are inexpensive, rugged and well suited to the medical and social contexts of the developing world and do not compromise on accuracy and reliability. The already available POC tests which are reliable and affordable, like for HIV infection, malaria, syphilis, and some neglected tropical diseases, and POC tests being developed for other diseases if correctly used and effectively regulated after rigorous evaluation, have the potential to make a difference in clinical management and improve surveillance. In order to use these tests effectively they would need to be supported by technically competent manpower, availability of good-quality reagents, and healthcare providers who value and are able to interpret laboratory results to guide treatment; and a system for timely communication between the laboratory and the healthcare provider. Strengthening the laboratories at the rural level can enable utilization of these diagnostics for improving the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases among children which require prompt treatment and thus, considerably reduce morbidity and mortality among the pediatric age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamini Walia
- Research and Development, PATH-India, A-9, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016, India.
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Thompson MG, Breiman RF, Hamel MJ, Desai M, Emukule G, Khagayi S, Shay DK, Morales K, Kariuki S, Bigogo GM, Njenga MK, Burton DC, Odhiambo F, Feikin DR, Laserson KF, Katz MA. Influenza and malaria coinfection among young children in western Kenya, 2009-2011. J Infect Dis 2012; 206:1674-84. [PMID: 22984118 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although children <5 years old in sub-Saharan Africa are vulnerable to both malaria and influenza, little is known about coinfection. METHODS This retrospective, cross-sectional study in rural western Kenya examined outpatient visits and hospitalizations associated with febrile acute respiratory illness (ARI) during a 2-year period (July 2009-June 2011) in children <5 years old. RESULTS Across sites, 45% (149/331) of influenza-positive patients were coinfected with malaria, whereas only 6% (149/2408) of malaria-positive patients were coinfected with influenza. Depending on age, coinfection was present in 4%-8% of outpatient visits and 1%-3% of inpatient admissions for febrile ARI. Children with influenza were less likely than those without to have malaria (risk ratio [RR], 0.57-0.76 across sites and ages), and children with malaria were less likely than those without to have influenza (RR, 0.36-0.63). Among coinfected children aged 24-59 months, hospital length of stay was 2.7 and 2.8 days longer than influenza-only-infected children at the 2 sites, and 1.3 and 3.1 days longer than those with malaria only (all P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Coinfection with malaria and influenza was uncommon but associated with longer hospitalization than single infections among children 24-59 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Thompson
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
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Muhindo HM, Ilombe G, Meya R, Mitashi PM, Kutekemeni A, Gasigwa D, Lutumba P, Van Geertruyden JP. Accuracy of malaria rapid diagnosis test Optimal-IT(®) in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Malar J 2012; 11:224. [PMID: 22770130 PMCID: PMC3465183 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite some problems related to accuracy and applicability, malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), are currently considered the best option in areas with limited laboratory services for improving case management and reducing over-treatment. However, their performance must be established taking into the account the particularities of each endemic area. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the validity of Optimal-IT® and Paracheck-Pf®, respectively based on the detection of lactate dehydrogenase and histidine-rich protein-2, was assessed at primary health care level (PHC). Methods This was a two-stage cluster randomized survey, conducted in one health centre in 12 health zones in Kinshasa city. All patients with malaria presumptive diagnosis were eligible. Gold standard was microscopy performed by experts from the parasitology unit, Kinshasa University. Results 624 patients were enrolled. 53.4% (95% CI: 49.4-57.3) owed a bed net, obtained in 74.5% of cases (95% CI: 69.4-79.1) through community-based distribution by the National Malaria Control Programme. Microscopy expert reading confirmed 123 malaria cases (19.7%; 95% CI: 16.7-23.1). Overall sensitivity were 79.7% (95% CI: 72.4-86.8), 87.8% (95% CI: 81.9-93.6) and 86.2% (95% CI: 79.9-92.3), respectively, for Optimal-IT®, Paracheck-Pf® and microscopy performed at PHC. Specificity was 97.0% (95% CI: 95.5-98.5), 91.6% (95% CI: 89.1-94.0) and 49.1% (95% CI: 44.7-53.4). The proportion of confirmed cases seemed similar in under-fives compared to others. Any treatment prior to the current visit was a predictor for malaria (AOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5-3.5), but not malaria treatment (AOR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.4-1.8). Bed net ownership tended to protect against malaria (AOR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45-0.99). Conclusion Although microscopy is considered as the "gold standard" for malaria diagnosis at point of care level, this study showed that its accuracy may not always be satisfactory when performed in health centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hypolite Mavoko Muhindo
- Département de Médecine Tropicale, Université de Kinshasa, B.P. 747, Kin XI, République Démocratique du Congo.
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Lessells RJ, Cooke GS, Newell ML, Godfrey-Faussett P. Evaluation of tuberculosis diagnostics: establishing an evidence base around the public health impact. J Infect Dis 2011; 204 Suppl 4:S1187-95. [PMID: 21996701 PMCID: PMC3192544 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The limitations of existing tuberculosis diagnostic tools are significantly hampering tuberculosis control efforts, most noticeably in areas with high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antituberculosis drug resistance. However, renewed global interest in tuberculosis research has begun to bear fruit, with several new diagnostic technologies progressing through the development pipeline. There are significant challenges in building a sound evidence base to inform public health policies because most diagnostic research focuses on the accuracy of individual tests, with often significant limitations in the design, conduct, and reporting of diagnostic accuracy studies. Diagnostic accuracy studies may not be appropriate to guide public health policies, and clinical trials may increasingly be required to determine the incremental value and cost-effectiveness of new tools. The urgent need for new diagnostics should not distract from pursuing rigorous scientific evaluation focused on public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Lessells
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Bisoffi Z, Sirima SB, Meheus F, Lodesani C, Gobbi F, Angheben A, Tinto H, Neya B, Van den Ende K, Romeo A, Van den Ende J. Strict adherence to malaria rapid test results might lead to a neglect of other dangerous diseases: a cost benefit analysis from Burkina Faso. Malar J 2011; 10:226. [PMID: 21816087 PMCID: PMC3199908 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have generally been found reliable and cost-effective. In Burkina Faso, the adherence of prescribers to the negative test result was found to be poor. Moreover, the test accuracy for malaria-attributable fever (MAF) is not the same as for malaria infection. This paper aims at determining the costs and benefits of two competing strategies for the management of MAF: presumptive treatment for all or use of RDTs. METHODS A cost benefit analysis was carried out using a decision tree, based on data previously obtained, including a randomized controlled trial (RCT) recruiting 852 febrile patients during the dry season and 1,317 in the rainy season. Cost and benefit were calculated using both the real adherence found by the RCT and assuming an ideal adherence of 90% with the negative result. The main parameters were submitted to sensitivity analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION At real adherence, the test-based strategy was dominated. Assuming ideal adherence, at the value of 525 € for a death averted, the total cost of managing 1,000 febrile children was 1,747 vs. 1,862 € in the dry season and 1,372 vs. 2,138 in the rainy season for the presumptive vs. the test-based strategy. For adults it was 2,728 vs. 1,983 and 2,604 vs. 2,225, respectively. At the subsidized policy adopted locally, assuming ideal adherence, the RDT would be the winning strategy for adults in both seasons and for children in the dry season.At sensitivity analysis, the factors most influencing the choice of the better strategy were the value assigned to a death averted and the proportion of potentially severe NMFI treated with antibiotics in patients with false positive RDT results. The test-based strategy appears advantageous for adults if a satisfactory adherence could be achieved. For children the presumptive strategy remains the best choice for a wide range of scenarios. CONCLUSIONS For RDTs to be preferred, a positive result should not influence the decision to treat a potentially severe NMFI with antibiotics. In the rainy season the presumptive strategy always remains the better choice for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeno Bisoffi
- Centre for Tropical Diseases, S, Cuore Hospital, Negrar (Verona), Italy.
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Mubi M, Janson A, Warsame M, Mårtensson A, Källander K, Petzold MG, Ngasala B, Maganga G, Gustafsson LL, Massele A, Tomson G, Premji Z, Björkman A. Malaria rapid testing by community health workers is effective and safe for targeting malaria treatment: randomised cross-over trial in Tanzania. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19753. [PMID: 21750697 PMCID: PMC3130036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 04/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment of uncomplicated malaria is critical to prevent severe disease, death and malaria transmission. We assessed the impact of rapid malaria diagnostic tests (RDTs) by community health workers (CHWs) on provision of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and health outcome in fever patients. Methodology/Principal Findings Twenty-two CHWs from five villages in Kibaha District, a high-malaria transmission area in Coast Region, Tanzania, were trained to manage uncomplicated malaria using RDT aided diagnosis or clinical diagnosis (CD) only. Each CHW was randomly assigned to use either RDT or CD the first week and thereafter alternating weekly. Primary outcome was provision of ACT and main secondary outcomes were referral rates and health status by days 3 and 7. The CHWs enrolled 2930 fever patients during five months of whom 1988 (67.8%) presented within 24 hours of fever onset. ACT was provided to 775 of 1457 (53.2%) patients during RDT weeks and to 1422 of 1473 (96.5%) patients during CD weeks (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.039, 95% CI 0.029–0.053). The CHWs adhered to the RDT results in 1411 of 1457 (96.8%, 95% CI 95.8–97.6) patients. More patients were referred on inclusion day during RDT weeks (10.0%) compared to CD weeks (1.6%). Referral during days 1–7 and perceived non-recovery on days 3 and 7 were also more common after RDT aided diagnosis. However, no fatal or severe malaria occurred among 682 patients in the RDT group who were not treated with ACT, supporting the safety of withholding ACT to RDT negative patients. Conclusions/Significance RDTs in the hands of CHWs may safely improve early and well-targeted ACT treatment in malaria patients at community level in Africa. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00301015
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Affiliation(s)
- Marycelina Mubi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Janson
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marian Warsame
- Division of Global Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Mårtensson
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Källander
- Division of Global Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Billy Ngasala
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- National Institute of Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gloria Maganga
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Lars L. Gustafsson
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amos Massele
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Göran Tomson
- Division of Global Health (IHCAR), Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zul Premji
- Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Anders Björkman
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska University Hospital/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Molecular Approaches for Diagnosis of Malaria and Characterization of Genetic Markers of Drug Resistance. Mol Microbiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1128/9781555816834.ch46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Elmardi KA, Noor AM, Githinji S, Abdelgadir TM, Malik EM, Snow RW. Self-reported fever, treatment actions and malaria infection prevalence in the northern states of Sudan. Malar J 2011; 10:128. [PMID: 21575152 PMCID: PMC3115918 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The epidemiology of fevers and their management in areas of low malaria transmission in Africa is not well understood. The characteristics of fever, its treatment and association with infection prevalence from a national household sample survey in the northern states of Sudan, an area that represents historically low parasite prevalence, are examined in this study. Methods In October-November 2009, a cluster sample cross-sectional household malaria indicator survey was undertaken in the 15 northern states of the Sudan. Data on household assets and individual level information on age, sex, whether the individual had a fever in the last 14 days and on the day of survey, actions taken to treat the fever including diagnostic services and drugs used and their sources were collected. Consenting household members were asked to provide a finger-prick blood sample and examined for malaria parasitaemia using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). All proportions and odds ratios were weighted and adjusted for clustering. Results Of 26,471 respondents 19% (n = 5,299) reported a history of fever within the last two weeks prior to the survey and 8% had fever on the day of the survey. Only 39% (n = 2,035) of individuals with fever in last two weeks took any action, of which 43% (n = 875) were treated with anti-malarials. About 44% (n = 382) of malaria treatments were done using the nationally recommended first-line therapy artesunate+sulphadoxine-pryrimethamine (AS+SP) and 13% (n = 122) with non-recommended chloroquine or SP. Importantly 33.9% (n = 296) of all malaria treatments included artemether monotherapy, which is internationally banned for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. About 53% of fevers had some form of parasitological diagnosis before treatment. On the day of survey, 21,988 individuals provided a finger-prick blood sample and only 1.8% were found positive for Plasmodium falciparum. Infection prevalence was higher among individuals who had fever in the last two weeks (OR = 3.4; 95%CI = 2.6 - 4.4, p < 0.001) or reported fever on the day of survey (OR = 6.2; 95%CI = 4.4 - 8.7, p < 0.001) compared to those without a history of fever. Conclusion Across the northern states of the Sudan, the period prevalence of fever is low. The proportion of fevers that are likely to be malaria is very low. Consequently, parasitological diagnosis of all fevers before treatment is an appropriate strategy for malaria case-management. Improved regulation and supervision of health workers is required to increase the use of diagnostics and remove the practice of prescribing artemisinin monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Elmardi
- National Malaria Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, PO Box 1204 Khartoum, Sudan
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