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Bechtold P, Wagner P, Hosch S, Gregorini M, Stark WJ, Gody JC, Kodia-Lenguetama ER, Pagonendji MS, Donfack OT, Phiri WP, García GA, Nsanzanbana C, Daubenberger CA, Schindler T, Vickos U. Development and evaluation of PlasmoPod: A cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test for rapid malaria diagnosis and surveillance. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001516. [PMID: 37756280 PMCID: PMC10529553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Malaria surveillance is hampered by the widespread use of diagnostic tests with low sensitivity. Adequate molecular malaria diagnostics are often only available in centralized laboratories. PlasmoPod is a novel cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test for rapid, sensitive, and quantitative detection of malaria parasites. PlasmoPod is based on reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of the highly abundant Plasmodium spp. 18S ribosomal RNA/DNA biomarker and is run on a portable qPCR instrument which allows diagnosis in less than 30 minutes. Our analytical performance evaluation indicates that a limit-of-detection as low as 0.02 parasites/μL can be achieved and no cross-reactivity with other pathogens common in malaria endemic regions was observed. In a cohort of 102 asymptomatic individuals from Bioko Island with low malaria parasite densities, PlasmoPod accurately detected 83 cases, resulting in an overall detection rate of 81.4%. Notably, there was a strong correlation between the Cq values obtained from the reference RT-qPCR assay and those obtained from PlasmoPod. In an independent cohort, using dried blood spots from malaria symptomatic children living in the Central African Republic, we demonstrated that PlasmoPod outperforms malaria rapid diagnostic tests based on the PfHRP2 and panLDH antigens as well as thick blood smear microscopy. Our data suggest that this 30-minute sample-to-result RT-qPCR procedure is likely to achieve a diagnostic performance comparable to a standard laboratory-based RT-qPCR setup. We believe that the PlasmoPod rapid NAAT could enable widespread accessibility of high-quality and cost-effective molecular malaria surveillance data through decentralization of testing and surveillance activities, especially in elimination settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Bechtold
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zuerich, Switzerland
- Diaxxo AG, Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Wagner
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salome Hosch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michele Gregorini
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zuerich, Switzerland
- Diaxxo AG, Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Wendelin J. Stark
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zuerich, Switzerland
- Diaxxo AG, Zuerich, Switzerland
| | - Jean Chrysostome Gody
- Paediatric Hospital and University Complex of Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christian Nsanzanbana
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia A. Daubenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Vickos
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Amitié Hospital, Bangui, Central African Republic
- Microbiology and Diagnostic Immunology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Azmi WA, Rizki AFM, Djuardi Y, Artika IM, Siregar JE. Molecular insights into artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum: An updated review. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023:105460. [PMID: 37269964 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Malaria still poses a major burden on human health around the world, especially in endemic areas. Plasmodium resistance to several antimalarial drugs has been one of the major hindrances in control of malaria. Thus, the World Health Organization recommended artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as a front-line treatment for malaria. The emergence of parasites resistant to artemisinin, along with resistant to ACT partner drugs, has led to ACT treatment failure. The artemisinin resistance is mostly related to the mutations in the propeller domain of the kelch13 (k13) gene that encodes protein Kelch13 (K13). The K13 protein has an important role in parasite reaction to oxidative stress. The most widely spread mutation in K13, with the highest degree of resistance, is a C580Y mutation. Other mutations, which are already identified as markers of artemisinin resistance, are R539T, I543T, and Y493H. The objective of this review is to provide current molecular insights into artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. The trending use of artemisinin beyond its antimalarial effect is described. Immediate challenges and future research directions are discussed. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying artemisinin resistance will accelerate implementation of scientific findings to solve problems with malarial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wihda Aisarul Azmi
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia; Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Andita Fitri Mutiara Rizki
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia; Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Yenny Djuardi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - I Made Artika
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| | - Josephine Elizabeth Siregar
- Eijkman Research Center for Molecular Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, Indonesia.
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3
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Mauhay JD, Saito N, Kimitsuki K, Mananggit MR, Cruz JL, Lagayan MG, Garcia AM, Lacanilao PM, Yamada K, Saito-Obata M, Manalo DL, Demetria CS, Quiambao BP, Nishizono A. Molecular Analysis of Rabies Virus Using RNA Extracted from Used Lateral Flow Devices. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0154322. [PMID: 36840574 PMCID: PMC10035306 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01543-22] [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] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular analysis of rabies virus can provide accurate diagnosis and information on its genetic diversity. The transportation of rabies brain samples from remote areas to a central laboratory is challenging owing to biohazard risks and decomposability. We investigated the utility of used lateral flow devices (LFDs) for subsequent molecular analysis and assessed the necessary storage temperatures. Using RNA extracted from used LFD strips, we performed conventional reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using an LN34 primer set to amplify short fragments (165 bp) for rabies virus detection and the P1-304 primer set to amplify long fragments of the entire N gene amplicon (1,506 bp) for phylogenetic analysis. Among 71 used LFDs stored in a refrigerator and 64 used LFDs stored at room temperature, the LN34 assay showed high sensitivities (96.2% and 100%, respectively) for the diagnosis of rabies, regardless of the storage temperature. A significant reduction in the sensitivity of rabies diagnosis was observed when using the P1-304 primer set for used LFDs stored at room temperature compared to those stored at refrigeration temperature (20.9% versus 100%; P < 0.05). Subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were successfully performed using the amplicons generated by the P1-304 RT-PCR assays. Used LFDs are thus promising resources for rabies virus RNA detection and sequence analysis. Virus detection via RT-PCR, amplifying a short fragment, was possible regardless of the storage temperature of the used LFDs. However, refrigerated storage is recommended for RT-PCR amplification of long fragments for phylogenetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaira D Mauhay
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Nobuo Saito
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kimitsuki
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Milagros R Mananggit
- Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Agriculture Field Office III, San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
| | - Jeffrey L Cruz
- Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, Quezon, National Capital Region, Philippines
| | - Maria G Lagayan
- Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, Quezon, National Capital Region, Philippines
| | - Alyssa M Garcia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Patricia M Lacanilao
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yamada
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | | | - Daria L Manalo
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa, National Capital Region, Philippines
| | - Catalino S Demetria
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa, National Capital Region, Philippines
| | - Beatriz P Quiambao
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa, National Capital Region, Philippines
| | - Akira Nishizono
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
- Research Center for Global and Local Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
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Yoboue CA, Hosch S, Donfack OT, Guirou EA, Nlavo BM, Ayekaba MO, Guerra C, Phiri WP, Garcia GA, Schindler T, Daubenberger CA. Characterising co-infections with Plasmodium spp., Mansonella perstans or Loa loa in asymptomatic children, adults and elderly people living on Bioko Island using nucleic acids extracted from malaria rapid diagnostic tests. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0009798. [PMID: 35100277 PMCID: PMC8830708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regular and comprehensive epidemiological surveys of the filarial nematodes Mansonella perstans and Loa loa in children, adolescents and adults living across Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea are lacking. We aimed to demonstrate that blood retained on malaria rapid diagnostic tests, commonly deployed for malaria surveys, could be used as a source of nucleic acids for molecular based detection of M. perstans and L. loa. We wanted to determine the positivity rate and distribution of filarial nematodes across different age groups and geographical areas as well as to understand level of co-infections with malaria in an asymptomatic population. Methodology M. perstans, L. loa and Plasmodium spp. parasites were monitored by qPCR in a cross-sectional study using DNA extracted from a subset malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) collected during the annual malaria indicator survey conducted on Bioko Island in 2018. Principal findings We identified DNA specific for the two filarial nematodes investigated among 8.2% (263) of the 3214 RDTs screened. Positivity rates of M. perstans and L. loa were 6.6% and 1.5%, respectively. M. perstans infection were more prominent in male (10.5%) compared to female (3.9%) survey participants. M. perstans parasite density and positivity rate was higher among older people and the population living in rural areas. The socio-economic status of participants strongly influenced the infection rate with people belonging to the lowest socio-economic quintile more than 3 and 5 times more likely to be L. loa and M. perstans infected, respectively. No increased risk of being co-infected with Plasmodium spp. parasites was observed among the different age groups. Conclusions/Significance We found otherwise asymptomatic individuals were infected with M. perstans and L. loa. Our study demonstrates that employing mRDTs probed with blood for malaria testing represents a promising, future tool to preserve and ship NAs at room temperature to laboratories for molecular, high-throughput diagnosis and genotyping of blood-dwelling nematode filarial infections. Using this approach, asymptomatic populations can be reached and surveyed for infectious diseases beyond malaria. Mansonella perstans and Loa loa are filarial nematodes that infect millions of people living in less developed areas, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. Both parasites are neglected among other filarial nematodes because both are regarded as causing mainly asymptomatic infections. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) deployed during malaria surveys as a convenient sampling strategy for molecular surveillance of blood-dwelling filarial nematode infections. Our findings demonstrate the potential of mRDTs as a source of parasite DNA beyond malaria, providing an opportunity to expand current knowledge on the distribution and populations mostly affected by M. perstans and L. loa infections to Equatorial Guinea, located in Central-West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Aya Yoboue
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Salome Hosch
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Etienne A. Guirou
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Carlos Guerra
- Medical Care Development International, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Wonder P. Phiri
- Medical Care Development International, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | | | - Tobias Schindler
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (TS); (CAD)
| | - Claudia A. Daubenberger
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (TS); (CAD)
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5
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Hosch S, Yoboue CA, Donfack OT, Guirou EA, Dangy JP, Mpina M, Nyakurungu E, Blöchliger K, Guerra CA, Phiri WP, Ayekaba MO, García GA, Tanner M, Daubenberger C, Schindler T. Analysis of nucleic acids extracted from rapid diagnostic tests reveals a significant proportion of false positive test results associated with recent malaria treatment. Malar J 2022; 21:23. [PMID: 35073934 PMCID: PMC8785039 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04043-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance programmes often use malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to determine the proportion of the population carrying parasites in their peripheral blood to assess the malaria transmission intensity. Despite an increasing number of reports on false-negative and false-positive RDT results, there is a lack of systematic quality control activities for RDTs deployed in malaria surveillance programmes. METHODS The diagnostic performance of field-deployed RDTs used for malaria surveys was assessed by retrospective molecular analysis of the blood retained on the tests. RESULTS Of the 2865 RDTs that were collected in 2018 on Bioko Island and analysed in this study, 4.7% had a false-negative result. These false-negative RDTs were associated with low parasite density infections. In 16.6% of analysed samples, masked pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions were identified, in which at least one Plasmodium falciparum strain carried a gene deletion. Among all positive RDTs analysed, 28.4% were tested negative by qPCR and therefore considered to be false-positive. Analysing the questionnaire data collected from the participants, this high proportion of false-positive RDTs could be explained by P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) antigen persistence after recent malaria treatment. CONCLUSION Malaria surveillance depending solely on RDTs needs well-integrated quality control procedures to assess the extent and impact of reduced sensitivity and specificity of RDTs on malaria control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome Hosch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charlene Aya Yoboue
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | - Etienne A Guirou
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Pierre Dangy
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maxmillian Mpina
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Ifakara Health Institute, Bagamoyo, United Republic of Tanzania.,Laboratorio de Investigaciones de Baney, Baney, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Elizabeth Nyakurungu
- Ifakara Health Institute, Bagamoyo, United Republic of Tanzania.,Laboratorio de Investigaciones de Baney, Baney, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Koranan Blöchliger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carlos A Guerra
- Medical Care Development International, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Wonder P Phiri
- Medical Care Development International, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | | | | | - Marcel Tanner
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Daubenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Tobias Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. .,Laboratorio de Investigaciones de Baney, Baney, Equatorial Guinea.
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Sazed SA, Kibria MG, Alam MS. An Optimized Real-Time qPCR Method for the Effective Detection of Human Malaria Infections. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:736. [PMID: 33919020 PMCID: PMC8142979 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymerase chain reaction, although an expensive method for the detection of human Plasmodium spp., is still considered the finest for the diagnosis of malaria. The conventional diagnostic PCR is an inexpensive process but consumes a lot of time, reagents and lacks sensitivity. On the other hand, real-time PCR assays currently being used are mostly probe-based expensive methods and sometimes not feasible to detect all the species in a single amplification reaction condition. Here we have established a real-time PCR method that is time and cost effective with a single protocol to detect and distinguish five human Plasmodium species using the existing primers efficiently. The primers used here are being used in the conventional method and the sensitivity as well as specificity of this method has also been immensely improved (100%). The lower limit of detection for Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae are 0.064 parasites/µL, 1.6 parasites/µL, and 0.32 parasites/µL respectively and no cross reactivity was observed. Besides, we have analyzed melt curves that can be used for further species confirmation and validation purposes using multiplex systems. This method, therefore, can be considered as an alternative to the existing lineup for molecular diagnosis of malaria in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammad Shafiul Alam
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases Research, Bangladesh Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (S.A.S.); (M.G.K.)
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Sagna AB, Kibria MG, Naher S, Islam S, Aktaruzzaman MM, Alam MS, Koepfli C. Stratifying malaria receptivity in Bangladesh using archived rapid diagnostic tests. Malar J 2020; 19:345. [PMID: 32967671 PMCID: PMC7513508 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03418-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Surveillance of low-density infections and of exposure to vectors is crucial to understand where malaria elimination might be feasible, and where the risk of outbreaks is high. Archived rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), used by national malaria control and elimination programs for clinical diagnosis, present a valuable, yet rarely used resource for in-depth studies on malaria epidemiology. Methods 1022 RDTs from two sub-Districts in Bangladesh (Alikadam and Kamalganj) were screened by qPCR for low-density Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections, and by ELISA for Anopheles salivary gland antibodies as a marker for exposure to vectors. Results Concordance between RDT and qPCR was moderate. qPCR detected 31/1022 infections compared to 36/1022 diagnosed by RDT. Exposure to Anopheles was significantly higher in Kamalganj despite low transmission, which could be explained by low bed net use. Conclusions Archived RDTs present a valuable source of antibodies for serological studies on exposure to vectors. In contrast, the benefit of screening archived RDTs to obtain a better estimate of clinical case numbers is moderate. Kamalganj could be prone to outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Barembaye Sagna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556-0369, USA
| | - Mohammad Golam Kibria
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr, b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shamsun Naher
- Communicable Diseases Programme (Malaria), BRAC, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shayla Islam
- Communicable Diseases Programme (Malaria), BRAC, BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - M M Aktaruzzaman
- National Malaria Elimination Program, Communicable Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Shafiul Alam
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr, b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Cristian Koepfli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556-0369, USA.
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