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Abdi Moussa R, Papa Mze N, Yonis Arreh H, Abdillahi Hamoud A, Mohamed Alaleh K, Mohamed Aden F, Yonis Omar AR, Osman Abdi W, Kayad Guelleh S, Ahmed Abdi AI, Basco LK, Abdi Khaireh B, Bogreau H. Assessment of the Performance of Lactate Dehydrogenase-Based Rapid Diagnostic Test for Malaria in Djibouti in 2022-2023. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:262. [PMID: 38337778 PMCID: PMC10854848 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14030262] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Until 2020, Djiboutian health authorities relied on histidine-rich protein-2 (HRP2)-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to establish the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum. The rapid spread of P. falciparum histidine-rich protein-2 and -3 (pfhrp2/3) gene-deleted parasite strains in Djibouti has led the authorities to switch from HRP2-based RDTs to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-based RDTs targeting the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) specific for P. falciparum and P. vivax (RapiGEN BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf/Pv pLDH/pLDH) in 2021. This study was conducted with the primary objective of evaluating the diagnostic performance of this alternative RDT. Operational constraints related, in particular, to the implementation of this RDT during the COVID-19 pandemic were also considered. The performance of BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf/Pv (pLDH/pLDH) RDT was also compared to our previously published data on the performance of two HRP2-based RDTs deployed in Djibouti in 2018-2020. The diagnosis of 350 febrile patients with suspected malaria in Djibouti city was established using two batches of RapiGEN BIOCREDIT Malaria Ag Pf/Pv (pLDH/pLDH) RDT over a two-year period (2022 and 2023) and confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of P. falciparum were 88.2% and 100%, respectively. For P. vivax, the sensitivity was 86.7% and the specificity was 100%. Re-training and closer supervision of the technicians between 2022 and 2023 have led to an increased sensitivity to detect P. falciparum (69.8% in 2022 versus 88.2% in 2023; p < 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis highlighted a better performance in the diagnosis of P. falciparum with pLDH-based RDTs compared with previous HRP2-based RDTs. In Djibouti, where pfhrp2-deleted strains are rapidly gaining ground, LDH-based RDTs seem to be more suitable for diagnosing P. falciparum than HRP2-based RDTs. Awareness-raising and training for technical staff have also been beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma Abdi Moussa
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France (L.K.B.)
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Nasserdine Papa Mze
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France (L.K.B.)
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Houssein Yonis Arreh
- Laboratoire National de Référence, Hôpital Peltier, Ministère de la Santé, Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti
| | | | - Kahiya Mohamed Alaleh
- Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS), Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti (K.M.A.)
| | - Fatouma Mohamed Aden
- Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS), Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti (K.M.A.)
| | - Abdoul-Razak Yonis Omar
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic, Centre de Santé Communautaire d’Einguela, Ministère de la Santé, Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti
| | - Warsama Osman Abdi
- Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS), Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti (K.M.A.)
| | - Samatar Kayad Guelleh
- Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Ministère de la Santé, Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti;
| | - Abdoul-Ilah Ahmed Abdi
- Service de Santé des Armées, Présidence de la République, Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti;
| | - Leonardo K. Basco
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France (L.K.B.)
| | - Bouh Abdi Khaireh
- UNDP Djibouti, Global Fund to Fight AIDS-TB-Malaria, Djibouti ville 98230, Djibouti;
| | - Hervé Bogreau
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, 13005 Marseille, France (L.K.B.)
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, 13005 Marseille, France
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Duah-Quashie NO, Opoku-Agyeman P, Bruku S, Adams T, Tandoh KZ, Ennuson NA, Matrevi SA, Abuaku B, Quashie NB, Watters C, Wolfe D, Quijada HM, Sanders T. Genetic deletions and high diversity of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3 genes in parasite populations in Ghana. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2022; 2:1011938. [PMID: 38455301 PMCID: PMC10911008 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2022.1011938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used to diagnose malaria in Ghana and other malaria endemic countries. Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PFHRP2) based RDTs are widely used, however the occurrence of deletions of the pfhrp2 gene in some parasites have resulted in false negative test results. Monoclonal antibodies of PFHRP2 cross reacts with PFHRP3 because they share structural similarities and this complements the detection of the parasites by RDT. These two genes were investigated in Ghanaian P. falciparum parasite population to detect deletions and the polymorphisms in exon 2 of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes. Parasite isolates (2,540) from children ≤ 12 years with uncomplicated malaria from 2015 to 2020 transmission seasons were used. Both genes were amplified using nested PCR and negative results indicated the presence of the deletion of genes. Amplified genes were sequenced for the detection of the amino acid repeats. Deletions were observed in 30.7% (780/2,540) and 17.2% (438/2,540) of the samples for pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 respectively with increasing trends over the three time periods (χ2 -10.305, p = 0.001). A total of 1,632 amplicons were sequenced for each gene, analysis was done on 1,124 and 1,307 good quality sequences for pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 respectively. Pfhrp2 repeat polymorphisms were dominantly of types 2 (AHHAHHAAD) and 7 (AHHAAD) with large numbers of variants. A novel variant of type 14 (AHHANHATD) was seen for pfhrp2. For the pfhrp3 repeat types, 16 (AHHAAN), 17 (AHHDG) and 18 (AHHDD) were the dominant types observed. Variants of type 16 (AHHAAH) and (AHHASH) were also dominant. Repeat types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, and 19 were observed be shared by both genes. The haplotype diversity of both genes ranged between 0.872 and 1 indicating high diversity of the polymorphisms in the isolates. The implication of the findings of the frequencies of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions as well as the variants of the main epitopes of the monoclonal antibodies for the RDT (types 2 and 7) in our isolates is an indication of decreased sensitivity of the RDTs in diagnosing malaria infections in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Odurowah Duah-Quashie
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Philip Opoku-Agyeman
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Selassie Bruku
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Tryphena Adams
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwesi Zandoh Tandoh
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nana Aba Ennuson
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sena Adzoa Matrevi
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Benjamin Abuaku
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Neils Ben Quashie
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Chaselynn Watters
- US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - David Wolfe
- US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Terrel Sanders
- US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
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Molina-de la Fuente I, Yimar M, García L, González V, Amor A, Anegagrie M, Benito A, Martínez J, Moreno M, Berzosa P. Deletion patterns, genetic variability and protein structure of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3: implications for malaria rapid diagnostic test in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Malar J 2022; 21:287. [PMID: 36209103 PMCID: PMC9548178 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04306-3] [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: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) play a key role in malaria-control strategies, their efficacy has been threatened by deletion and genetic variability of the genes pfhrp2/3. This study aims to characterize the deletion, genetic patterns and diversity of these genes and their implication for malaria RDT effectiveness, as well as their genetic evolution in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Methods The study included 354 isolates from symptomatic patients from the Amhara region of Ethiopia who tested positive by microscopy. Exon 1–2 and exon 2 of genes pfhrp2 and -3 were amplified, and exon 2 was sequenced to analyse the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationship and epitope availability. Results The deletion frequency in exon 1–2 and exon 2 was 22 and 4.6% for pfhrp2, and 68 and 18% for pfhrp3, respectively. Double deletion frequency for pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 was 1.4%. High genetic diversity, lack of clustering by phylogenetic analysis and evidence of positive selection suggested a diversifying selection for both genes. The amino-acid sequences, classified into different haplotypes, varied widely in terms of frequency of repeats, with novel amino-acid changes. Aminoacidic repetition type 2 and type 7 were the most frequent in all the sequences. The most frequent epitopes among protein sequences were those recognized by MAbs 3A4 and C1-13. Conclusion Deletions and high amino acidic variation in pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 suggest their possible impact on RDT use in the Amhara region, and the high genetic diversity of these genes could be associated with a diversifying selection in Ethiopia. Surveillance of these genes is, therefore, essential to ensure the effectiveness of public health interventions in this region. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04306-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Molina-de la Fuente
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. .,Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mulat Yimar
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Luz García
- Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERINFECT - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicenta González
- Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERINFECT - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Arancha Amor
- Mundo Sano Foundations, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Melaku Anegagrie
- Mundo Sano Foundations, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Benito
- Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERINFECT - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Martínez
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Moreno
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Pedro Berzosa
- Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERINFECT - CIBER Infectious Diseases (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Rogier E, McCaffery JN, Mohamed MA, Herman C, Nace D, Daniels R, Lucchi N, Jones S, Goldman I, Aidoo M, Cheng Q, Kemenang EA, Udhayakumar V, Cunningham J. Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Gene Deletions and Relatedness to Other Global Isolates, Djibouti, 2019-2020. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:2043-2050. [PMID: 36148905 PMCID: PMC9514350 DOI: 10.3201/eid2810.220695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletions of pfhrp2 and paralogue pfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3) genes threaten Plasmodium falciparum diagnosis by rapid diagnostic test. We examined 1,002 samples from suspected malaria patients in Djibouti City, Djibouti, to investigate pfhrp2/3 deletions. We performed assays for Plasmodium antigen carriage, pfhrp2/3 genotyping, and sequencing for 7 neutral microsatellites to assess relatedness. By PCR assay, 311 (31.0%) samples tested positive for P. falciparum infection, and 296 (95.2%) were successfully genotyped; 37 (12.5%) samples were pfhrp2+/pfhrp3+, 51 (17.2%) were pfhrp2+/pfhrp3-, 5 (1.7%) were pfhrp2-/pfhrp3+, and 203 (68.6%) were pfhrp2-/pfhrp3-. Histidine-rich protein 2/3 antigen concentrations were reduced with corresponding gene deletions. Djibouti P. falciparum is closely related to Ethiopia and Eritrea parasites (pairwise GST 0.68 [Ethiopia] and 0.77 [Eritrea]). P. falciparum with deletions in pfhrp2/3 genes were highly prevalent in Djibouti City in 2019-2020; they appear to have arisen de novo within the Horn of Africa and have not been imported.
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Vera-Arias CA, Holzschuh A, Oduma CO, Badu K, Abdul-Hakim M, Yukich J, Hetzel MW, Fakih BS, Ali A, Ferreira MU, Ladeia-Andrade S, Sáenz FE, Afrane Y, Zemene E, Yewhalaw D, Kazura JW, Yan G, Koepfli C. High-throughput Plasmodium falciparum hrp2 and hrp3 gene deletion typing by digital PCR to monitor malaria rapid diagnostic test efficacy. eLife 2022; 11:72083. [PMID: 35762586 PMCID: PMC9246365 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Most rapid diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum malaria target the Histidine-Rich Proteins 2 and 3 (HRP2 and HRP3). Deletions of the hrp2 and hrp3 genes result in false-negative tests and are a threat for malaria control. A novel assay for molecular surveillance of hrp2/hrp3 deletions was developed based on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The assay quantifies hrp2, hrp3, and a control gene with very high accuracy. The theoretical limit of detection was 0.33 parasites/µl. The deletion was reliably detected in mixed infections with wild-type and hrp2-deleted parasites at a density of >100 parasites/reaction. For a side-by-side comparison with the conventional nested PCR (nPCR) assay, 248 samples were screened in triplicate by ddPCR and nPCR. No deletions were observed by ddPCR, while by nPCR hrp2 deletion was observed in 8% of samples. The ddPCR assay was applied to screen 830 samples from Kenya, Zanzibar/Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Ecuador. Pronounced differences in the prevalence of deletions were observed among sites, with more hrp3 than hrp2 deletions. In conclusion, the novel ddPCR assay minimizes the risk of false-negative results (i.e., hrp2 deletion observed when the sample is wild type), increases sensitivity, and greatly reduces the number of reactions that need to be run.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aurel Holzschuh
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, United States.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Colins O Oduma
- Kenya Medical Research Institute-Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
| | - Kingsley Badu
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Manuel W Hetzel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bakar S Fakih
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Abdullah Ali
- Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Programme, Zanzibar, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | | | - Fabián E Sáenz
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Yaw Afrane
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Endalew Zemene
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Delenasaw Yewhalaw
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - James W Kazura
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
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6
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Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 genes deletion in global settings (2010–2021): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Malar J 2022; 21:26. [PMID: 35093092 PMCID: PMC8800273 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04051-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The usefulness of histidine-rich protein-2/3 (HRP2/3)-based rapid diagnostic tests of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum has been threatened by the appearance of mutant PfHRP2/3 genes. This study was undertaken to determine the global pooled estimates of PfHRP2/3gene deletions. Methods Relevant publications were identified from electronic databases such as; PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE online. Besides, all the relevant literatures were retrieved through Google and Google Scholar. STATA software was used for data analysis. The pooled estimates were calculated using random effect model. The summary estimates were presented using forest plots and tables. Results A total of 27 studies were included in the systematic review. However, only 24 and 17 studies were included for PfHRP2 and 3 gene deletion meta-analysis, respectively. The prevalence of PfHRP2 gene deletion across the individual studies ranged from the highest 100% to the lowest 0%. However, the meta-analysis result showed that the global pooled prevalence of PfHRP2 and PfHRP3 gene deletions were 21.30% and 34.50%, respectively. The pooled proportion of PfHRP2 gene deletion among false negative PfHRP2-based RDTs results was found to be 41.10%. The gene deletion status was higher in South America and followed by Africa. The pooled estimate of PfHRP2 gene deletion among studies, which did not follow the WHO PfHRP2/3 gene deletion analysis protocol was higher than their counter parts (21.3% vs 10.5%). Conclusions This review showed that there is a high pooled prevalence of PfHRP2/3 gene deletions in Plasmodium falciparum confirmed isolates and also a high proportion of their deletions among false-negative malaria cases using PfHRP2-based RDT results. Hence, malaria diagnosis based on PfHRP2-based rapid tests seems to be less sensitive and warrants further evaluation of PfHRP2/3 gene deletions.
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Chaudhry A, Cunningham J, Cheng Q, Gatton ML. Modelling the epidemiology of malaria and spread of HRP2-negative Plasmodium falciparum following the replacement of HRP2-detecting rapid diagnostic tests. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000106. [PMID: 36962137 PMCID: PMC10021339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are dominated by products which use histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) to detect Plasmodium falciparum. The emergence of parasites lacking the pfhrp2 gene can lead to high rates of false-negative results amongst these RDTs. One solution to restore the ability to correctly diagnose falciparum malaria is to switch to an RDT which is not solely reliant on HRP2. This study used an agent-based stochastic simulation model to investigate the impact on prevalence and transmission caused by switching the type of RDT used once false-negative rates reached pre-defined thresholds within the treatment-seeking symptomatic population. The results show that low transmission settings were the first to reach the false-negative switch threshold, and that lower thresholds were typically associated with better long-term outcomes. Changing the diagnostic RDT away from a HRP2-only RDT is predicted to restore the ability to correctly diagnose symptomatic malaria infections, but often did not lead to the extinction of HRP2-negative parasites from the population which continued to circulate in low density infections, or return to the parasite prevalence and transmission levels seen prior to the introduction of the HRP2-negative parasite. In contrast, failure to move away from HRP2-only RDTs leads to near fixation of these parasites in the population, and the inability to correctly diagnose symptomatic cases. Overall, these results suggest pfhrp2-deleted parasites are likely to become a significant component of P. falciparum parasite populations, and that long-term strategies are needed for diagnosis and surveillance which do not rely solely on HRP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Chaudhry
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Qin Cheng
- Department of Drug Resistance and Diagnostics, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute, Brisbane, Australia
- ADFMIDI Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michelle L Gatton
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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Yerlikaya S, Owusu EDA, Frimpong A, DeLisle RK, Ding XC. A Dual, Systematic Approach to Malaria Diagnostic Biomarker Discovery. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:40-51. [PMID: 34718455 PMCID: PMC8752250 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab251] [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: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum parasites that lack HRP2/3 proteins and the resulting decreased utility of HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) prompted the World Health Organization and other global health stakeholders to prioritize the discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers for malaria. Methods To address this pressing need, we adopted a dual, systematic approach by conducting a systematic review of the literature for publications on diagnostic biomarkers for uncomplicated malaria and a systematic in silico analysis of P. falciparum proteomics data for Plasmodium proteins with favorable diagnostic features. Results Our complementary analyses led us to 2 novel malaria diagnostic biomarkers compatible for use in an RDT format: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase. Conclusions Overall, our results pave the way for the development of next-generation malaria RDTs based on new antigens by identifying 2 lead candidates with favorable diagnostic features and partially de-risked product development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seda Yerlikaya
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ewurama D A Owusu
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Augustina Frimpong
- West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Xavier C Ding
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
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Mihreteab S, Anderson K, Pasay C, Smith D, Gatton ML, Cunningham J, Berhane A, Cheng Q. Epidemiology of mutant Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking histidine-rich protein 2/3 genes in Eritrea 2 years after switching from HRP2-based RDTs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21082. [PMID: 34702923 PMCID: PMC8548324 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00714-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Eritrea was the first African country to complete a nationwide switch in 2016 away from HRP2-based RDTs due to high rates of false-negative RDT results caused by Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking hrp2/hrp3 genes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2019 enrolling symptomatic malaria patients from nine health facilities across three zones consecutively to investigate the epidemiology of P. falciparum lacking hrp2/3 after the RDT switch. Molecular analyses of 715 samples revealed the overall prevalence of hrp2-, hrp3-, and dual hrp2/3-deleted parasites as 9.4% (95%CI 7.4–11.7%), 41.7% (95% CI 38.1–45.3%) and 7.6% (95% CI 5.8–9.7%), respectively. The prevalence of hrp2- and hrp3-deletion is heterogeneous within and between zones: highest in Anseba (27.1% and 57.9%), followed by Gash Barka (6.4% and 37.9%) and Debub zone (5.2% and 43.8%). hrp2/3-deleted parasites have multiple diverse haplotypes, with many shared or connected among parasites of different hrp2/3 status, indicating mutant parasites have likely evolved from multiple and local parasite genetic backgrounds. The findings show although prevalence of hrp2/3-deleted parasites is lower 2 years after RDT switching, HRP2-based RDTs remain unsuitable for malaria diagnosis in Eritrea. Continued surveillance of hrp2/3-deleted parasites in Eritrea and neighbouring countries is required to monitor the trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selam Mihreteab
- National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health, Asmara, Eritrea.
| | - Karen Anderson
- The Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.,Drug Resistance and Diagnostics, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cielo Pasay
- The Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.,Drug Resistance and Diagnostics, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David Smith
- The Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.,Drug Resistance and Diagnostics, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michelle L Gatton
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Araia Berhane
- Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Asmara, Eritrea
| | - Qin Cheng
- The Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. .,Drug Resistance and Diagnostics, Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
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10
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Molina-de la Fuente I, Pastor A, Herrador Z, Benito A, Berzosa P. Impact of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions on malaria control worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Malar J 2021; 20:276. [PMID: 34158065 PMCID: PMC8220794 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03812-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deletion of pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes cause false negatives in malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and threating malaria control strategies. This systematic review aims to assess the main methodological aspects in the study of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions and its global epidemiological status, with special focus on their distribution in Africa; and its possible impact in RDT. Methods The systematic review was conducted by examining the principal issues of study design and methodological workflow of studies addressing pfhrp2 deletion. Meta-analysis was applied to represent reported prevalences of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 single and double deletion in the World Health Organization (WHO) region. Pooled-prevalence of deletions was calculated using DerSimonnian-Laird random effect model. Then, in-deep analysis focused on Africa was performed to assess possible variables related with these deletions. Finally, the impact of these deletions in RDT results was analysed combining reported information about RDT sensitivity and deletion prevalences. Results 49 articles were included for the systematic review and 37 for the meta-analysis, 13 of them placed in Africa. Study design differs significantly, especially in terms of population sample and information reported, resulting in high heterogeneity between studies that difficulties comparisons and merged conclusions. Reported prevalences vary widely in all the WHO regions, significantly higher deletion were reported in South-Central America, following by Africa and Asia. Pfhrp3 deletion is more prevalent (43% in South-Central America; 3% in Africa; and 1% in Asia) than pfhrp2 deletion (18% in South-Central America; 4% in Africa; and 3% in Asia) worldwide. In Africa, there were not found differences in deletion prevalence by geographical or population origin of samples. The prevalence of deletion among false negatives ranged from 0 to 100% in Africa, but in Asia and South-Central America was only up to 90% and 48%, respectively, showing substantial relation between deletions and false negatives. Conclusion The concerning prevalence of pfhrp2, pfhrp3 and pfhrp2/3 gene deletions, as its possible implications in malaria control, highlights the importance of regular and systematic surveillance of these deletions. This review has also outlined that a standardized methodology could play a key role to ensure comparability between studies to get global conclusions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03812-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Molina-de la Fuente
- Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. .,Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain. .,Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Andrea Pastor
- Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Herrador
- National Centre of Epidemiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Benito
- Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Berzosa
- Malaria and Neglected Diseases Laboratory, National Centre of Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish), Madrid, Spain
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11
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Prosser C, Gresty K, Ellis J, Meyer W, Anderson K, Lee R, Cheng Q. Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 and 3 Gene Deletions in Strains from Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:471-479. [PMID: 33496220 PMCID: PMC7853540 DOI: 10.3201/eid2702.191410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletion of histidine-rich protein genes pfhrp2/3 in Plasmodium falciparum causes infections to go undetected by HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests. We analyzed P. falciparum malaria cases imported to Australia (n = 210, collected 2010–2018) for their pfhrp2/3 status. We detected gene deletions in patients from 12 of 25 countries. We found >10% pfhrp2-deletion levels in those from Nigeria (13.3%, n = 30), Sudan (11.2%, n = 39), and South Sudan (17.7%, n = 17) and low levels of pfhrp3 deletion from Sudan (3.6%) and South Sudan (5.9%). No parasites with pfhrp2/3 double deletions were detected. Microsatellite typing of parasites from Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan revealed low relatedness among gene-deleted parasites, indicating independent emergences. The gene deletion proportions signify a risk of false-negative HRP2-RDT results. This study’s findings warrant surveillance to determine whether the prevalence of gene-deleted parasites justifies switching malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan.
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12
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Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum isolates lacking the histidine rich protein 2 gene among symptomatic malaria patients in Kwilu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Infect Dis Poverty 2021; 10:77. [PMID: 34034827 PMCID: PMC8146217 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00860-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria rapid diagnostic tests have become a primary and critical tool for malaria diagnosis in malaria-endemic countries where Plasmodium falciparum Histidine Rich Protein 2-based rapid diagnostic tests (PfHRP2-based RDTs) are widely used. However, in the last decade, the accuracy of PfHRP2-based RDTs has been challenged by the emergence of P. falciparum strains harbouring deletions of the P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (pfhrp2) gene, resulting in false-negative results. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R. Congo), little is known about the prevalence of the pfhrp2 gene deletion among P. falciparum isolates infecting symptomatic patients, especially in low to moderate transmission areas where pfhrp2 deletion parasites are assumed to emerge and spread. Here we determine the local prevalence and factors associated with pfhrp2 gene deletions among symptomatic malaria patients in the Kwilu Province of the D.R. Congo. Methods We used secondary data from a prospective health facility-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2018. Blood was collected for microscopy, PfHRP2-RDT, and spotted onto Whatman filter paper for downstream genetic analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted and used to perform PCR assays for the detection and confirmation of pfhrp2 gene deletions. Fischer’s exact and the Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied to look for associations between potential explanatory variables and the pfhrp2 gene deletion with a level of statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results Of the 684 enrolled symptomatic patients, 391 (57.7%) were female. The majority (87.7%) reported the presence of mosquito breeding sites within the household’s compound, and fever was the most reported symptom (81.6%). The overall prevalence of the pfhrp2 gene deletion was 9.2% (95% CI: 6.7%–12.1%). The deletion of the pfhrp2 gene was associated with health zone of origin (P = 0.012) and age (P = 0.019). Among false-negative PfHRP2-RDT results, only 9.9% were due to pfhrp2 gene deletion. Conclusions P. falciparum isolates with pfhrp2 gene deletions are relatively common among symptomatic patients in Kwilu province. Further investigations are needed to provide enough evidence for policy change. Meanwhile, the use of RDTs targeting PfHRP2 and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) antigens could limit the spread of deleted isolates. Graphic Abstract ![]()
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13
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Nolder D, Stewart L, Tucker J, Ibrahim A, Gray A, Corrah T, Gallagher C, John L, O'Brien E, Aggarwal D, Benavente ED, van Schalkwyk D, Henriques G, Sepúlveda N, Campino S, Chiodini P, Sutherland C, Beshir KB. Failure of rapid diagnostic tests in Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases among travelers to the UK and Ireland: Identification and characterisation of the parasites. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 108:137-144. [PMID: 33991679 PMCID: PMC8295040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objective was to systematically investigate false-negative histidine-rich protein 2 rapid diagnostic tests (HRP2-RDT) in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases from travelers to the UK and the Republic of Ireland (RoI). METHODS Five imported malaria cases in travellers returning to the UK and RoI from East Africa were reported to the PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory as negative according to histidine-rich protein (HRP2)-RDT. The cases were systematically investigated using microscopic, RDT, molecular, genomic, and in in vitro approaches. RESULTS In each case, HRP2-RDT was negative, whereas microscopy confirmed the presence of P. falciparum. Further analysis revealed that the genes encoding HRP2 and HRP3 were deleted in three of the five cases. Whole-genome sequencing in one of these isolates confirmed deletions in P. falciparum chromosomes 8 and 13. Our study produced evidence that the fourth case, which had high parasitemia at clinical presentation, was a rare example of antigen saturation ('prozone-like effect'), leading to a false negative in the HRP2-RDT, while the fifth case was due to low parasitemia. CONCLUSIONS False-negative HRP2-RDT results with P. falciparum are concerning. Our findings emphasise the necessity of supporting the interpretation of RDT results with microscopy, in conjunction with clinical observations, and sets out a systematic approach to identifying parasites carrying pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Nolder
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Lindsay Stewart
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Julie Tucker
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Amy Ibrahim
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Adam Gray
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Northwick Park Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Tumena Corrah
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Northwick Park Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Carmel Gallagher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Northwick Park Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Laurence John
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Northwick Park Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London HA1 3UJ, UK
| | - Edel O'Brien
- Haematology Lab, University Hospital Limerick, Ireland
| | - Dinesh Aggarwal
- Department of Clinical Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ernest Diez Benavente
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Donelly van Schalkwyk
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Gisela Henriques
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; CEAUL - Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Campino
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Peter Chiodini
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Department of Clinical Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Colin Sutherland
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Khalid B Beshir
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
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14
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Parr JB, Kieto E, Phanzu F, Mansiangi P, Mwandagalirwa K, Mvuama N, Landela A, Atibu J, Efundu SU, Olenga JW, Thwai KL, Morgan CE, Denton M, Poffley A, Juliano JJ, Mungala P, Likwela JL, Sompwe EM, Rogier E, Tshefu AK, N'Siala A, Kalonji A. Analysis of false-negative rapid diagnostic tests for symptomatic malaria in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6495. [PMID: 33753817 PMCID: PMC7985209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85913-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of Plasmodium falciparum malaria diagnoses in Africa are made using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect histidine-rich protein 2. Increasing reports of false-negative RDT results due to parasites with deletions of the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes (pfhrp2/3) raise concern about existing malaria diagnostic strategies. We previously identified pfhrp2-negative parasites among asymptomatic children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but their impact on diagnosis of symptomatic malaria is unknown. We performed a cross-sectional study of false-negative RDTs in symptomatic subjects in 2017. Parasites were characterized by microscopy; RDT; pfhrp2/3 genotyping and species-specific PCR assays; a bead-based immunoassay for Plasmodium antigens; and/or whole-genome sequencing. Among 3627 symptomatic subjects, 427 (11.8%) had RDT-/microscopy + results. Parasites from eight (0.2%) samples were initially classified as putative pfhrp2/3 deletions by PCR, but antigen testing and whole-genome sequencing confirmed the presence of intact genes. 56.8% of subjects had PCR-confirmed malaria. Non-falciparum co-infection with P. falciparum was common (13.2%). Agreement between PCR and HRP2-based RDTs was satisfactory (Cohen's kappa = 0.66) and superior to microscopy (0.33). Symptomatic malaria due to pfhrp2/3-deleted P. falciparum was not observed. Ongoing HRP2-based RDT use is appropriate for the detection of falciparum malaria in the DRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B Parr
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Eddy Kieto
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Fernandine Phanzu
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Paul Mansiangi
- University of Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | | | - Nono Mvuama
- University of Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Ange Landela
- Institut National Pour La Recherche Biomedicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Joseph Atibu
- University of Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | | | - Jean W Olenga
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Kyaw Lay Thwai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Camille E Morgan
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Madeline Denton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alison Poffley
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan J Juliano
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Pomie Mungala
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Joris L Likwela
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Eric M Sompwe
- Programme National de La Lutte Contre Le Paludisme, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Eric Rogier
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30033, USA
| | - Antoinette K Tshefu
- University of Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Adrien N'Siala
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Albert Kalonji
- SANRU Asbl (Sante Rurale/Global Fund), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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15
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Gibbons J, Qin J, Malla P, Wang Z, Brashear A, Wang C, Miao J, Adams JH, Kim K, Jiang R, Cui L. Lineage-Specific Expansion of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites With pfhrp2 Deletion in the Greater Mekong Subregion. J Infect Dis 2021; 222:1561-1569. [PMID: 32386321 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Deletion of the pfhrp2 gene in Plasmodium falciparum can lead to false-negative rapid diagnostic test (RDT) results, constituting a major challenge for evidence-based malaria treatment. Here we analyzed the whole genome sequences of 138 P. falciparum clinical samples collected from the China-Myanmar boarder for pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions. We found pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions in 9.4% and 3.6% of samples, respectively, with no samples harboring deletions of both genes. The pfhrp2 deletions showed 2 distinct breakpoints, representing 2 different chromosomal deletion events. A phylogenetic analysis performed using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms revealed that the 2 pfhrp2 breakpoint groups as well as all the pfhrp3-negative parasites formed separate clades, suggesting they might have resulted from clonal expansion of pfhrp2- and pfhrp3-negative parasites. These findings highlight the need for urgent surveys to determine the prevalence of pfhrp2-negative parasites causing false-negative RDT results and a plan for switching of RDTs pending the survey results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Gibbons
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Junling Qin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Pallavi Malla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Zenglei Wang
- The National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Beijing Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Awtum Brashear
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jun Miao
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - John H Adams
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kami Kim
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Rays Jiang
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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16
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Mu J, Yu LL, Wellems TE. Sensitive Immunoassay Detection of Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:620419. [PMID: 33505925 PMCID: PMC7831609 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.620419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid, reliable, and sensitive detection of Plasmodium infection is central to malaria control and elimination. Many Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) developed for this purpose depend upon immunoassays that can be improved by advances in bound antibody sensor technology. In a previous study, immuno-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was shown to provide highly sensitive detection of Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) in monoclonal antibody (mAb) sandwich assays. Here, we show comparably high immunoassay sensitivity by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Following capture of PfLDH with the primary mAb and binding of the AuNP-labeled detection mAb, ICP-MS signals from the AuNPs provided quantitative measures of recombinant PfLDH test dilutions and P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. A detection limit of 1.5 pg/mL was achieved with the PfLDH protein. Parasitemia in cultures of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes could be detected to a lower limit of 1.6 parasite/μl (p/μl) for early ring-stage forms and 0.3 p/μl for mixed stages including mature trophozoites and schizont-stages. These results show that ICP-MS detection of AuNPs can support highly sensitive and accurate detection of Plasmodium infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbing Mu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Lee L. Yu
- Chemical Sciences Division, Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States
| | - Thomas E. Wellems
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
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17
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Nsobya SL, Walakira A, Namirembe E, Kiggundu M, Nankabirwa JI, Ruhamyankaka E, Arinaitwe E, Conrad MD, Kamya MR, Dorsey G, Rosenthal PJ. Deletions of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes were uncommon in rapid diagnostic test-negative Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Uganda. Malar J 2021; 20:4. [PMID: 33386076 PMCID: PMC7777526 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) play a key role in malaria case management. The most widely used RDT identifies Plasmodium falciparum based on immunochromatographic recognition of P. falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2). Deletion of the paralogous pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes leads to false-negative PfHRP2-based RDTs, and has been reported in P. falciparum infections from South America and Africa. However, identification of pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions has usually been based only on failure to amplify these genes using PCR, without confirmation based on PfHRP2 protein expression, and understanding of the true prevalence of deletions is incomplete. METHODS Deletions of pfhrp2/pfhrp3 in blood samples were investigated from cross-sectional surveys in 2012-13 in three regions of varied malaria transmission intensity in Uganda. Samples with positive Giemsa-stained thick blood smears, but negative PfHRP2-based RDTs were evaluated by PCR amplification of conserved subunit ribosomal DNA for Plasmodium species, PCR amplification of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes to identify deletions, and bead-based immunoassays for expression of PfHRP2. RESULTS Of 3516 samples collected in cross-sectional surveys, 1493 (42.5%) had positive blood smears, of which 96 (6.4%) were RDT-negative. Of these 96 RDT-negative samples, P. falciparum DNA was identified by PCR in 56 (58%) and only non-falciparum plasmodial DNA in 40 (42%). In all 56 P. falciparum-positive samples there was a failure to amplify pfhrp2 or pfhrp3: in 25 (45%) pfhrp2 was not amplified, in 39 (70%) pfhrp3 was not amplified, and in 19 (34%) neither gene was amplified. For the 39 P. falciparum-positive, RDT-negative samples available for analysis of protein expression, PfHRP2 was not identified by immunoassay in only four samples (10.3%); these four samples all had failure to amplify both pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 by PCR. Thus, only four of 96 (4.2%) smear-positive, RDT-negative samples had P. falciparum infections with deletion of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 confirmed by failure to amplify the genes by PCR and lack of expression of PfHRP2 demonstrated by immunoassay. CONCLUSION False negative RDTs were uncommon. Deletions in pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 explained some of these false negatives, but most false negatives were not due to deletion of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam L Nsobya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda. .,Department of Pathology, College of Health Science, Makerere University Kampala, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | | | - Moses Kiggundu
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joaniter I Nankabirwa
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Melissa D Conrad
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grant Dorsey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Plasmodium falciparum is evolving to escape malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Ethiopia. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:1289-1299. [PMID: 34580442 PMCID: PMC8478644 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00962-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In Africa, most rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for falciparum malaria recognize histidine-rich protein 2 antigen. Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking histidine-rich protein 2 (pfhrp2) and 3 (pfhrp3) genes escape detection by these RDTs, but it is not known whether these deletions confer sufficient selective advantage to drive rapid population expansion. By studying blood samples from a cohort of 12,572 participants enroled in a prospective, cross-sectional survey along Ethiopia's borders with Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan using RDTs, PCR, an ultrasensitive bead-based immunoassay for antigen detection and next-generation sequencing, we estimate that histidine-rich protein 2-based RDTs would miss 9.7% (95% confidence interval 8.5-11.1) of P. falciparum malaria cases owing to pfhrp2 deletion. We applied a molecular inversion probe-targeted deep sequencing approach to identify distinct subtelomeric deletion patterns and well-established pfhrp3 deletions and to uncover recent expansion of a singular pfhrp2 deletion in all regions sampled. We propose a model in which pfhrp3 deletions have arisen independently multiple times, followed by strong positive selection for pfhrp2 deletion owing to RDT-based test-and-treatment. Existing diagnostic strategies need to be urgently reconsidered in Ethiopia, and improved surveillance for pfhrp2 deletion is needed throughout the Horn of Africa.
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19
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Bosco AB, Nankabirwa JI, Yeka A, Nsobya S, Gresty K, Anderson K, Mbaka P, Prosser C, Smith D, Opigo J, Namubiru R, Arinaitwe E, Kissa J, Gonahasa S, Won S, Lee B, Lim CS, Karamagi C, Cheng Q, Nakayaga JK, Kamya MR. Limitations of rapid diagnostic tests in malaria surveys in areas with varied transmission intensity in Uganda 2017-2019: Implications for selection and use of HRP2 RDTs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244457. [PMID: 33382787 PMCID: PMC7774953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2)-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are exclusively recommended for malaria diagnosis in Uganda; however, their functionality can be affected by parasite-related factors that have not been investigated in field settings. METHODS Using a cross-sectional design, we analysed 219 RDT-/microscopy+ and 140 RDT+/microscopy+ dried blood spots obtained from symptomatic children aged 2-10 years from 48 districts in Uganda between 2017 and 2019. We aimed to investigate parasite-related factors contributing to false RDT results by molecular characterization of parasite isolates. ArcGIS software was used to map the geographical distribution of parasites. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, with P ≤ 0.05 indicating significance. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to assess associations, while logistic regression was performed to explore possible factors associated with false RDT results. RESULTS The presence of parasite DNA was confirmed in 92.5% (332/359) of the blood samples. The levels of agreement between the HRP2 RDT and PCR assay results in the (RDT+/microscopy+) and (RDT-/microscopy+) sample subsets were 97.8% (137/140) and 10.9% (24/219), respectively. Factors associated with false-negative RDT results in the (RDT-/microscopy+) samples were parasite density (<1,000/μl), pfhrp2/3 gene deletion and non-P. falciparum species (aOR 2.65, 95% CI: 1.62-4.38, P = 0.001; aOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.72-13.66, P = 0.004; and aOR 18.65, 95% CI: 5.3-38.7, P = 0.001, respectively). Overall, gene deletion and non-P. falciparum species contributed to 12.3% (24/195) and 19.0% (37/195) of false-negative RDT results, respectively. Of the false-negative RDTs results, 80.0% (156/195) were from subjects with low-density infections (< 25 parasites per 200 WBCs or <1,000/μl). CONCLUSION This is the first evaluation and report of the contributions of pfhrp2/3 gene deletion, non-P. falciparum species, and low-density infections to false-negative RDT results under field conditions in Uganda. In view of these findings, the use of HRP2 RDTs should be reconsidered; possibly, switching to combination RDTs that target alternative antigens, particularly in affected areas, may be beneficial. Future evaluations should consider larger and more representative surveys covering other regions of Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agaba B. Bosco
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- National Malaria Control Division, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joaniter I. Nankabirwa
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Adoke Yeka
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sam Nsobya
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karryn Gresty
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Queensland, Australia
- The Army Malaria Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karen Anderson
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Queensland, Australia
- The Army Malaria Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Mbaka
- World Health Organization Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christiane Prosser
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Smith
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Queensland, Australia
- The Army Malaria Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jimmy Opigo
- National Malaria Control Division, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rhoda Namubiru
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - John Kissa
- National Health Information Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Sungho Won
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, S. Korea
| | - Bora Lee
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, S. Korea
| | - Chae Seung Lim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Korea University, Seoul, S. Korea
| | - Charles Karamagi
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Qin Cheng
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Queensland, Australia
- The Army Malaria Institute Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joan K. Nakayaga
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Moses R. Kamya
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
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20
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Golassa L, Messele A, Amambua-Ngwa A, Swedberg G. High prevalence and extended deletions in Plasmodium falciparum hrp2/3 genomic loci in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241807. [PMID: 33152025 PMCID: PMC7644029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deletions in Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein 2(pfhrp2) gene threaten the usefulness of the most widely used HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) that cross react with its structural homologue, PfHRP3. Parasites with deleted pfhrp2/3 genes remain undetected and untreated due to 'false-negative' RDT results. As Ethiopia recently launched malaria elimination by 2030 in certain selected areas, the availability of RDTs and the scale of their use have rapidly increased in recent years. Thus, it is important to explore the presence and prevalence of deletion in the target genes, pfhrp2 and pfhrp3. From a total of 189 febrile patients visited Adama Malaria Diagnostic centre, sixty-four microscopically-and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed P. falciparum clinical isolates were used to determine the frequency of pfhrp2/3 gene deletions. Established PCR assays were applied to DNA extracted from blood spotted onto filter papers to amplify across pfhrp2/3 exons and flanking regions. However, analysis of deletions in pfhrp2, pfhrp3 and flanking genomic regions was successful for 50 of the samples. The pfhrp2 gene deletion was fixed in the population with all 50(100%) isolates presenting a deletion variant. This deletion extended downstream towards the Pf3D7 0831900 (MAL7PI.230) gene in 11/50 (22%) cases. In contrast, only 2/50 (4%) of samples had deletions for the Pf3D7 0831700 (MALPI.228) gene, upstream of pfhrp2. Similarly, the pfhrp3 gene was deleted in all isolates (100%), while 40% of the isolates had an extension of the deletion to the downstream flanking region that codes for Pf3D7 13272400 (MAL13PI.485).The pfhrp3 deletion also extended upstream to Pf3D7 081372100 (MAL13PI.475) region in 49/50 (95%) of the isolates, exhibiting complete absence of the locus. Although all samples showed deletions of pfhrp2 exon regions, amplification of an intron region was successful in five cases. Two different repeat motifs in the intron regions were observed in the samples tested. Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions are fixed in Ethiopia and this will likely reduce the effectiveness of PfHRP2-based mRDTs. It will be important to determine the sensitivity PfHRP 2/3-based RDTs in these populations and conduct a countrywide survey to determine the extent of these deletions and its effect on routine RDT-based malaria diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemu Golassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alebachew Messele
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
- MRC Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Gote Swedberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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21
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Gatton ML, Chaudhry A, Glenn J, Wilson S, Ah Y, Kong A, Ord RL, Rees-Channer RR, Chiodini P, Incardona S, Cheng Q, Aidoo M, Cunningham J. Impact of Plasmodium falciparum gene deletions on malaria rapid diagnostic test performance. Malar J 2020; 19:392. [PMID: 33148265 PMCID: PMC7640408 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03460-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have greatly improved access to diagnosis in endemic countries. Most RDTs detect Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2), but their sensitivity is seriously threatened by the emergence of pfhrp2-deleted parasites. RDTs detecting P. falciparum or pan-lactate dehydrogenase (Pf- or pan-LDH) provide alternatives. The objective of this study was to systematically assess the performance of malaria RDTs against well-characterized pfhrp2-deleted P. falciparum parasites. Methods Thirty-two RDTs were tested against 100 wild-type clinical isolates (200 parasites/µL), and 40 samples from 10 culture-adapted and clinical isolates of pfhrp2-deleted parasites. Wild-type and pfhrp2-deleted parasites had comparable Pf-LDH concentrations. Pf-LDH-detecting RDTs were also tested against 18 clinical isolates at higher density (2,000 parasites/µL) lacking both pfhrp2 and pfhrp3. Results RDT positivity against pfhrp2-deleted parasites was highest (> 94%) for the two pan-LDH-only RDTs. The positivity rate for the nine Pf-LDH-detecting RDTs varied widely, with similar median positivity between double-deleted (pfhrp2/3 negative; 63.9%) and single-deleted (pfhrp2-negative/pfhrp3-positive; 59.1%) parasites, both lower than against wild-type P. falciparum (93.8%). Median positivity for HRP2-detecting RDTs against 22 single-deleted parasites was 69.9 and 35.2% for HRP2-only and HRP2-combination RDTs, respectively, compared to 96.0 and 92.5% for wild-type parasites. Eight of nine Pf-LDH RDTs detected all clinical, double-deleted samples at 2,000 parasites/µL. Conclusions The pan-LDH-only RDTs evaluated performed well. Performance of Pf-LDH-detecting RDTs against wild-type P. falciparum does not necessarily predict performance against pfhrp2-deleted parasites. Furthermore, many, but not all HRP2-based RDTs, detect pfhrp2-negative/pfhrp3-positive samples, with implications for the HRP2-based RDT screening approach for detection and surveillance of HRP2-negative parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alisha Chaudhry
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Yong Ah
- The CDC Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amy Kong
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | | | | | - Peter Chiodini
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sandra Incardona
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Qin Cheng
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute (FORMERLY Australian Army Malaria Institute), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael Aidoo
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
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22
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Reichert EN, Hume JCC, Sagara I, Healy SA, Assadou MH, Guindo MA, Barney R, Rashid A, Yang IK, Golden A, Domingo GJ, Duffy PE, Slater HC. Ultra-sensitive RDT performance and antigen dynamics in a high-transmission Plasmodium falciparum setting in Mali. Malar J 2020; 19:323. [PMID: 32883286 PMCID: PMC7469912 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recent expansion of tools designed to accurately quantify malaria parasite-produced antigens has enabled us to evaluate the performance of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) as a function of the antigens they detect-typically histidine rich protein 2 (HRP2) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). METHODS For this analysis, whole blood specimens from a longitudinal study in Bancoumana, Mali were used to evaluate the performance of the ultra-sensitive HRP2-based Alere™ Malaria Ag P.f RDT (uRDT). The samples were collected as part of a transmission-blocking vaccine trial in a high transmission region for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Furthermore, antigen dynamics after successful anti-malarial drug treatment were evaluated in these samples using the Q-Plex Human Malaria Array (4-Plex) to quantify antigen concentrations. RESULTS The uRDT had a 50% probability of a positive result at 207 pg/mL HRP2 [95% credible interval (CrI) 160-268]. Individuals with symptomatic infection remained positive by uRDT for a median of 33 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 28-47] post anti-malarial drug treatment. Biphasic exponential decay models accurately captured the population level post-treatment dynamics of both HRP2 and Plasmodium LDH (pLDH), with the latter decaying more rapidly. Motivated by these differences in rates of decay, a novel algorithm that used HRP2:pLDH ratios to predict if an individual had active versus recently cleared P. falciparum infection was developed. The algorithm had 77.5% accuracy in correctly classifying antigen-positive individuals as those with and without active infection. CONCLUSIONS These results characterize the performance of the ultra-sensitive RDT and demonstrate the potential for emerging antigen-quantifying technologies in the field of malaria diagnostics to be helpful tools in distinguishing between active versus recently cleared malaria infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jen C C Hume
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Mali-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases International Center for Excellence in Research, University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Sara A Healy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mahamadoun H Assadou
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Mali-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases International Center for Excellence in Research, University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Merepen A Guindo
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Mali-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases International Center for Excellence in Research, University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick E Duffy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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23
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Thomson R, Parr JB, Cheng Q, Chenet S, Perkins M, Cunningham J. Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum lacking histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3: a systematic review. Bull World Health Organ 2020; 98:558-568F. [PMID: 32773901 PMCID: PMC7411324 DOI: 10.2471/blt.20.250621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To calculate prevalence estimates and evaluate the quality of studies reporting Plasmodium falciparum lacking histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3, to inform an international response plan. Methods We searched five online databases, without language restriction, for articles reporting original data on Plasmodium falciparum-infected patients with deletions of the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes (pfhrp2/3). We calculated prevalence estimates of pfhrp2/3 deletions and mapped the data by country. The denominator was all P. falciparum-positive samples testing positive by microscopy and confirmed positive by species-specific polymerase chain reaction testing (PCR). If microscopy was not performed, we used the number of samples based on a different diagnostic method or PCR alone. We scored studies for risk of bias and the quality of laboratory methods using a standardized scoring system. Findings A total of 38 articles reporting 55 studies from 32 countries and one territory worldwide were included in the review. We found considerable heterogeneity in the populations studied, methods used and estimated prevalence of P. falciparum parasites with pfhrp2/3 deletions. The derived prevalence of pfhrp2 deletions ranged from 0% to 100%, including focal areas in South America and Africa. Only three studies (5%) fulfilled all seven criteria for study quality. Conclusion The lack of representative surveys or consistency in study design impairs evaluations of the risk of false-negative results in malaria diagnosis due to pfhrp2/3 deletions. Accurate mapping and strengthened monitoring of the prevalence of pfhrp2/3 deletions is needed, along with harmonized methods that facilitate comparisons across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan B Parr
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, United States of America
| | - Qin Cheng
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stella Chenet
- Instituto de Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas, Chachapoyas, Peru
| | - Mark Perkins
- Department of Emergency Preparedness, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
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24
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Thomson R, Beshir KB, Cunningham J, Baiden F, Bharmal J, Bruxvoort KJ, Maiteki-Sebuguzi C, Owusu-Agyei S, Staedke SG, Hopkins H. pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Gene Deletions That Affect Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Plasmodium falciparum: Analysis of Archived Blood Samples From 3 African Countries. J Infect Dis 2020; 220:1444-1452. [PMID: 31249999 PMCID: PMC6761929 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) that target histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) are important tools for Plasmodium falciparum diagnosis. Parasites with pfhrp2/3 gene deletions threaten the use of these mRDTs and have been reported in Africa, Asia, and South America. We studied blood samples from 3 African countries to determine if these gene deletions were present. METHODS We analyzed 911 dried blood spots from Ghana (n = 165), Tanzania (n = 176), and Uganda (n = 570). Plasmodium falciparum infection was confirmed by 18S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and pfhrp2/3 genes were genotyped. True pfhrp2/3 gene deletions were confirmed if samples were (1) microscopy positive; (2) 18S rDNA PCR positive; (3) positive for merozoite surface protein genes by PCR or positive by loop-mediated isothermal amplification; or (4) quantitative PCR positive with >5 parasites/µL. RESULTS No pfhrp2/3 deletions were detected in samples from Ghana, but deletions were identified in Tanzania (3 pfhrp2; 2 pfhrp3) and Uganda (7 pfhrp2; 2 pfhrp3). Of the 10 samples with pfhrp2 deletions, 9 tested negative by HRP2-based mRDT. CONCLUSIONS The presence of pfhrp2/3 deletions in Tanzania and Uganda, along with reports of pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites in neighboring countries, reinforces the need for systematic surveillance to monitor the reliability of mRDTs in malaria-endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Thomson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid B Beshir
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Frank Baiden
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jameel Bharmal
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katia J Bruxvoort
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena
| | | | - Seth Owusu-Agyei
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,University or Health and Allied Sciences, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana
| | - Sarah G Staedke
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heidi Hopkins
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Pasquier G, Azoury V, Sasso M, Laroche L, Varlet-Marie E, Houzé S, Lachaud L, Bastien P, Sterkers Y, Leveque MF. Rapid diagnostic tests failing to detect infections by Plasmodium falciparum encoding pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes in a non-endemic setting. Malar J 2020; 19:179. [PMID: 32393251 PMCID: PMC7216663 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03251-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) detecting the histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) have a central position for the management of Plasmodium falciparum infections. Yet, variable detection of certain targeted motifs, low parasitaemia, but also deletion of pfhrp2 gene or its homologue pfhrp3, may result in false-negative RDT leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence, and understanding the possible causes, of P. falciparum RDT-negative infections at Montpellier Academic Hospital, France. Methods The prevalence of falsely-negative RDT results reported before and after the introduction of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, as part as the malaria screening strategy in January 2017, was analysed. Negative P. falciparum RDT infections were screened for pfhrp2 or pfhrp3 deletion; and exons 2 were sequenced to show a putative genetic diversity impairing PfHRP2 detection. Results The overall prevalence of P. falciparum negative RDTs from January 2006 to December 2018 was low (3/446). Whereas no cases were reported from 2006 to 2016 (0/373), period during which the malaria diagnostic screen was based on microscopy and RDT, prevalence increased up to 4.1% (3/73) between 2017 and 2018, when molecular detection was implemented for primary screening. Neither pfhrp2/3 deletion nor major variation in the frequency of repetitive epitopes could explain these false-negative RDT results. Conclusion This paper demonstrates the presence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes in three P. falciparum RDT-negative infections and reviews the possible reasons for non-detection of HRP2/3 antigens in a non-endemic setting. It highlights the emergence of falsely negative rapid diagnostic tests in a non-endemic setting and draws attention on the risk of missing malaria cases with low parasitaemia infections using the RDT plus microscopy-based strategy currently recommended by French authorities. The relevance of a novel diagnostic scheme based upon a LAMP assay is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Pasquier
- University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, UMR MiVEGEC, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Azoury
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Milène Sasso
- University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, UMR MiVEGEC, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Laëtitia Laroche
- Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sandrine Houzé
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, APHP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Lachaud
- University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, UMR MiVEGEC, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, UMR MiVEGEC, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, UMR MiVEGEC, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maude F Leveque
- University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, UMR MiVEGEC, Montpellier, France. .,Department of Parasitology-Mycology, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Grignard L, Nolder D, Sepúlveda N, Berhane A, Mihreteab S, Kaaya R, Phelan J, Moser K, van Schalkwyk DA, Campino S, Parr JB, Juliano JJ, Chiodini P, Cunningham J, Sutherland CJ, Drakeley C, Beshir KB. A novel multiplex qPCR assay for detection of Plasmodium falciparum with histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 (pfhrp2 and pfhrp3) deletions in polyclonal infections. EBioMedicine 2020; 55:102757. [PMID: 32403083 PMCID: PMC7218259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many health facilities in malaria endemic countries are dependent on Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for diagnosis and some National Health Service (NHS) hospitals without expert microscopists rely on them for diagnosis out of hours. The emergence of P. falciparum lacking the gene encoding histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 (HRP2 and HRP3) and escaping RDT detection threatens progress in malaria control and elimination. Currently, confirmation of RDT negative due to the deletion of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3, which encodes a cross-reactive protein isoform, requires a series of PCR assays. These tests have different limits of detection and many laboratories have reported difficulty in confirming the absence of the deletions with certainty. METHODS We developed and validated a novel and rapid multiplex real time quantitative (qPCR) assay to detect pfhrp2, pfhrp3, confirmatory parasite and human reference genes simultaneously. We also applied the assay to detect pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletion in 462 field samples from different endemic countries and UK travellers. RESULTS The qPCR assay demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity of 100% (n = 19, 95% CI= (82.3%; 100%)) and diagnostic specificity of 100% (n = 31; 95% CI= (88.8%; 100%)) in detecting pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions. In addition, the assay estimates P. falciparum parasite density and accurately detects pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions masked in polyclonal infections. We report pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions in parasite isolates from Kenya, Tanzania and in UK travellers. INTERPRETATION The new qPCR is easily scalable to routine surveillance studies in countries where P. falciparum parasites lacking pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 are a threat to malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Grignard
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Debbie Nolder
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom; PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom; Centre of Statistics and Applications of University of Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Araia Berhane
- Communicable Diseases Control Division, Ministry of Health, Eritrea
| | - Selam Mihreteab
- Communicable Diseases Control Division, Ministry of Health, Eritrea
| | - Robert Kaaya
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Tanzania
| | - Jody Phelan
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Kara Moser
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Donelly A van Schalkwyk
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Susana Campino
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Peter Chiodini
- PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom; UCL Hospital for Tropical Diseases, United Kingdom
| | | | - Colin J Sutherland
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid B Beshir
- Faculty of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.
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Kumar R, Verma AK, Shrivas S, Thota P, Singh MP, Rajasubramaniam S, Das A, Bharti PK. First successful field evaluation of new, one-minute haemozoin-based malaria diagnostic device. EClinicalMedicine 2020; 22:100347. [PMID: 32490369 PMCID: PMC7256309 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early and accurate diagnosis of malaria is critical to the success of malaria elimination. However, the current mainstay of malaria diagnosis in the field, such as light microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), have limitations due to low parasite density or mutation in diagnostic markers. METHODS We evaluated an inexpensive, robust, rapid, malaria diagnostic device, called Gazelle, that employs magneto-optical detection to identify haemozoin crystals (Hz) produced by all species of human malaria parasites in infected individuals. A beam of polarised light is passed through the lysed diluted blood sample under the influence of high (~.55T) and low magnetic fields. The difference in light transmission through the sample between the high and low magnetic fields indicates presence of Hz, suggesting possible malarial infection. A total of 300 febrile patients were screened at the malaria clinic of Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (ICMR-NIRTH), Jabalpur, India, from August 2018 to November 2018. Malaria diagnosis was done using four diagnostic methods: Gazelle, light microscopy, RDT, and malaria specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Measures of diagnostic accuracy were compared. FINDINGS Out of 300 febrile patients enroled and tested for the presence of malaria parasites, 262 patient samples were included in the final analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of Gazelle was 98% and 97% in comparison to light microscopy, 82% and 99% to PCR and 78% and 99% to RDT, respectively. The results of the four diagnostic methods were comparable and statistically no significant differences in sensitivity or specificity was observed between these methods. Enhanced diagnostic accuracy of Gazelle in malaria patients with no prior history of malaria treatment was observed in this study. INTERPRETATION The diagnostic ability of Gazelle was comparable to light microscopy and better than RDTs even in low parasitemia and in presence of pfhrp2/3 deletion mutant parasites. Gazelle may be a novel valuable diagnostic tool in resource poor settings where (i) microscopy is not feasible and (ii) pfhrp2/3gene deleted parasite are present. Its speed, cost-efficiency, and alternative to lack of microscopists makes it an important adjunct in field settings. FUNDING HemexDx, India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajat Kumar
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Anil K. Verma
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Shweta Shrivas
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | - Mrigendra P. Singh
- National Institute of Malaria Research-Field station (NIMR-FS), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - S. Rajasubramaniam
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Aparup Das
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Praveen K. Bharti
- ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Corresponding author.
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Forshey BM, Morton L, Martin N, Cheng Q, Waters NC, Lee J, Mancuso J. Plasmodium falciparum Rapid Test Failures Threaten Diagnosis and Treatment of U.S. Military Personnel. Mil Med 2020; 185:e1-e4. [PMID: 31665418 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usz256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Forshey
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, 11800 Tech Road Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20904
| | - Lindsay Morton
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, 11800 Tech Road Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20904.,Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, 11800 Tech Road Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20904
| | - Nicholas Martin
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2, PSA Sembawang Deptford Rd, Building 7-4, Singapore 759657 Singapore.,U.S. Army Medical Directorate, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, 315/6 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Qin Cheng
- Australian Defence Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute, Weary Dunlop Drive, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland 4051, Australia
| | - Norman C Waters
- U.S. Army Medical Directorate, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, 315/6 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Jangwoo Lee
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
| | - James Mancuso
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch, 11800 Tech Road Suite 220, Silver Spring, MD 20904
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Kojom LP, Singh V. Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum field isolates with deletions in histidine-rich protein 2 and 3 genes in context with sub-Saharan Africa and India: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Malar J 2020; 19:46. [PMID: 31992330 PMCID: PMC6986054 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-3090-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2017, nearly 80% of malaria morbidity and mortality occurred in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries and India. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), especially those targeting histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) of Plasmodium falciparum, have become an important diagnostic tool in these malaria-endemic areas. However, the chances of RDT-oriented successful treatment are increasingly jeopardized by the appearance of mutants with deletions in pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes. This systematic review and meta-analysis determines the prevalence of field P. falciparum isolates with deletion in pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes and their proportion among false-negative results in the PfHRP2-based RDTs in SSA and India. METHODS Eight electronic databases were used for searching potentially relevant publications for the systematic review analysis, wherein the main methodological aspects of included studies were analysed and some missing links in the included studies were identified. RESULTS A total of 19 studies were included, 16 from SSA and 3 from India. The pooled prevalence of pfhrp2 deletions was 8 and 5% while 16 and 4% for pfhrp3 gene deletions in Africa and India, respectively. The pooled proportion of pfhrp2 gene deletions found among false negative PfHRP2-based RDTs results was about 27.0 and 69.0% in Africa and India, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This review study indicates a relatively high proportion of both pfhrp2/3 genes deletions in P. falciparum isolates and among false-negative malaria cases using PfHRP2-based RDT results in SSA and India. Recently the deletions in pfhrp2/3 genes have also been reported from two African countries (Nigeria and Sudan). This review emphasizes the importance of more extensive studies and standardization of studies addressing the pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in malarious areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loick P Kojom
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- Cell Biology Laboratory and Malaria Parasite Bank, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110077, India.
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Watson OJ, Verity R, Ghani AC, Garske T, Cunningham J, Tshefu A, Mwandagalirwa MK, Meshnick SR, Parr JB, Slater HC. Impact of seasonal variations in Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission on the surveillance of pfhrp2 gene deletions. eLife 2019; 8:40339. [PMID: 31045490 PMCID: PMC6533063 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ten countries have reported pfhrp2/pfhrp3 gene deletions since the first observation of pfhrp2-deleted parasites in 2012. In a previous study (Watson et al., 2017), we characterised the drivers selecting for pfhrp2/3 deletions and mapped the regions in Africa with the greatest selection pressure. In February 2018, the World Health Organization issued guidance on investigating suspected false-negative rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) due to pfhrp2/3 deletions. However, no guidance is provided regarding the timing of investigations. Failure to consider seasonal variation could cause premature decisions to switch to alternative RDTs. In response, we have extended our methods and predict that the prevalence of false-negative RDTs due to pfhrp2/3 deletions is highest when sampling from younger individuals during the beginning of the rainy season. We conclude by producing a map of the regions impacted by seasonal fluctuations in pfhrp2/3 deletions and a database identifying optimum sampling intervals to support malaria control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver John Watson
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Verity
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azra C Ghani
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tini Garske
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antoinette Tshefu
- School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Melchior K Mwandagalirwa
- School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School for Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Steven R Meshnick
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School for Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Jonathan B Parr
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Hannah C Slater
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein (PfHRP2 and 3) diversity in Western and Coastal Kenya. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1709. [PMID: 30737461 PMCID: PMC6368535 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich proteins 2 (PfHRP2) based RDTs are advocated in falciparum malaria-endemic regions, particularly when quality microscopy is not available. However, diversity and any deletion in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes can affect the performance of PfHRP2-based RDTs. A total of 400 samples collected from uncomplicated malaria cases from Kenya were investigated for the amino acid repeat profiles in exon 2 of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes. In addition, PfHRP2 levels were measured in 96 individuals with uncomplicated malaria. We observed a unique distribution pattern of amino acid repeats both in the PfHRP2 and PfHRP3. 228 PfHRP2 and 124 PfHRP3 different amino acid sequences were identified. Of this, 214 (94%) PfHRP2 and 81 (65%) PfHRP3 amino acid sequences occurred only once. Thirty-nine new PfHRP2 and 20 new PfHRP3 amino acid repeat types were identified. PfHRP2 levels were not correlated with parasitemia or the number of PfHRP2 repeat types. This study shows the variability of PfHRP2, PfHRP3 and PfHRP2 concentration among uncomplicated malaria cases. These findings will be useful to understand the performance of PfHRP2-based RDTs in Kenya.
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Berhane A, Anderson K, Mihreteab S, Gresty K, Rogier E, Mohamed S, Hagos F, Embaye G, Chinorumba A, Zehaie A, Dowd S, Waters NC, Gatton ML, Udhayakumar V, Cheng Q, Cunningham J. Major Threat to Malaria Control Programs by Plasmodium falciparum Lacking Histidine-Rich Protein 2, Eritrea. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:462-470. [PMID: 29460730 PMCID: PMC5823352 DOI: 10.3201/eid2403.171723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
False-negative results for Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein (HRP) 2–based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are increasing in Eritrea. We investigated HRP gene 2/3 (pfhrp2/pfhrp3) status in 50 infected patients at 2 hospitals. We showed that 80.8% (21/26) of patients at Ghindae Hospital and 41.7% (10/24) at Massawa Hospital were infected with pfhrp2-negative parasites and 92.3% (24/26) of patients at Ghindae Hospital and 70.8% (17/24) at Massawa Hospital were infected with pfhrp3-negative parasites. Parasite densities between pfhrp2-positive and pfhrp2-negative patients were comparable. All pfhrp2-negative samples had no detectable HRP2/3 antigen and showed negative results for HRP2-based RDTs. pfhrp2-negative parasites were genetically less diverse and formed 2 clusters with no close relationships to parasites from Peru. These parasites probably emerged independently by selection in Eritrea. High prevalence of pfhrp2-negative parasites caused a high rate of false-negative results for RDTs. Determining prevalence of pfhrp2-negative parasites is urgently needed in neighboring countries to assist case management policies.
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Quakyi IA, Adjei GO, Sullivan DJ, Laar A, Stephens JK, Owusu R, Winch P, Sakyi KS, Coleman N, Krampa FD, Essuman E, Aubyn VNA, Boateng IA, Borteih BB, Vanotoo L, Tuakli J, Addison E, Bart-Plange C, Sorvor F, Adjei AA. Diagnostic capacity, and predictive values of rapid diagnostic tests for accurate diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum in febrile children in Asante-Akim, Ghana. Malar J 2018; 17:468. [PMID: 30547795 PMCID: PMC6295071 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2613-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study seeks to compare the performance of HRP2 (First Response) and pLDH/HRP2 (Combo) RDTs for falciparum malaria against microscopy and PCR in acutely ill febrile children at presentation and follow-up. Methods This is an interventional study that recruited children < 5 years who reported to health facilities with a history of fever within the past 72 h or a documented axillary temperature of 37.5 °C. Using a longitudinal approach, recruitment and follow-up of participants was done between January and May 2012. Based on results of HRP2-RDT screening, the children were grouped into one of the following three categories: (1) tested positive for malaria using RDT and received anti-malarial treatment (group 1, n = 85); (2) tested negative for malaria using RDT and were given anti-malarial treatment by the admitting physician (group 2, n = 74); or, (3) tested negative for malaria using RDT and did not receive any anti-malarial treatment (group 3, n = 101). Independent microscopy, PCR and Combo-RDT tests were done for each sample on day 0 and all follow-up days. Results Mean age of the study participants was 22 months and females accounted for nearly 50%. At the time of diagnosis, the mean body temperature was 37.9 °C (range 35–40.1 °C). Microscopic parasite density ranged between 300 and 99,500 parasites/µL. With microscopy as gold standard, the sensitivity of HRP2 and Combo-RDTs were 95.1 and 96.3%, respectively. The sensitivities, specificities and predictive values for RDTs were relatively higher in microscopy-defined malaria cases than in PCR positive-defined cases. On day 0, participants who initially tested negative for HRP2 were positive by microscopy (n = 2), Combo (n = 1) and PCR (n = 17). On days 1 and 2, five of the children in this group (initially HRP2-negative) tested positive by PCR alone. On day 28, four patients who were originally HRP2-negative tested positive for microscopy (n = 2), Combo (n = 2) and PCR (n = 4). Conclusion The HRP2/pLDH RDTs showed comparable diagnostic accuracy in children presenting with an acute febrile illness to health facilities in a hard-to-reach rural area in Ghana. Nevertheless, discordant results recorded on day 0 and follow-up visits using the recommended RDTs means improved malaria diagnostic capability in malaria-endemic regions is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella A Quakyi
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - George O Adjei
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Amos Laar
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Judith K Stephens
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Richmond Owusu
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Peter Winch
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioural Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kwame S Sakyi
- Department of Public and Environmental Wellness, Oakland University, 3101 Human Health Building, 433 Meadow Brook Rd, Rochester, MI, 48309-4452, USA
| | - Nathaniel Coleman
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Francis D Krampa
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Edward Essuman
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Vivian N A Aubyn
- National Malaria Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isaac A Boateng
- Asante-Akim Central Municipal Health Directorate, Ghana Health Services, Konongo, Ghana
| | - Bernard B Borteih
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linda Vanotoo
- Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Services, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Felix Sorvor
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Andrew A Adjei
- Worldwide Universities Network, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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Gendrot M, Fawaz R, Dormoi J, Madamet M, Pradines B. Genetic diversity and deletion of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 and 3: a threat to diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 25:580-585. [PMID: 30267926 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PfHRP2-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), based on the recognition of the Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2, are currently the most used tests in malaria detection. Most of the antibodies used in RDTs also detect PfHRP3. However, false-negative results were reported. Significant variation in the pfhrp2 gene could lead to the expression of a modified protein that would no longer be recognized by the antibodies used in PfHRP2-based RDTs. Additionally, parasites lacking the PfHRP2 do not express the protein and are, therefore, not identifiable. AIMS This review aims to assess the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genetic variation or the prevalence of gene deletion in areas where malaria is endemic and describe its implications on RDT use. SOURCES Publications of interest were identified using PubMed, Google Scholar and Google. CONTENT More than 18 types of amino acid repeats were identified from the PfHRP2 sequences. Sequencing analysis revealed high-level genetic variation in the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes (>90% of variation in Madagascar, Nigeria or Senegal) both within and between countries. However, genetic variation of PfHRP2 and PfHRP3 does not seem to be a major cause of false-negative results. The countries that showed the highest proportions of pfhrp2-negative parasites were Peru (20%-100%) and Guyana (41%) in South America, Ghana (36%) and Rwanda (23%) in Africa. High prevalence of pfhrp2 deletion causes a high rate of false-negatives results. IMPLICATIONS Presence of parasites lacking the pfhrp2 gene may pose a major threat to malaria control programmes because P. falciparum-infected individuals are not diagnosed and properly treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gendrot
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Département de biologie des agents transmissibles, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - R Fawaz
- Ecole de santé des armées, Bron, France
| | - J Dormoi
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Département de biologie des agents transmissibles, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - M Madamet
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Département de biologie des agents transmissibles, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Centre national de référence du paludisme, Institut hospitalo-universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - B Pradines
- Unité Parasitologie et entomologie, Département de biologie des agents transmissibles, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France; Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Centre national de référence du paludisme, Institut hospitalo-universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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Fontecha G, Mejía RE, Banegas E, Ade MP, Mendoza L, Ortiz B, Sabillón I, Alvarado G, Matamoros G, Pinto A. Deletions of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes of Plasmodium falciparum from Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Malar J 2018; 17:320. [PMID: 30170596 PMCID: PMC6119307 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria remains a public health problem in some countries of Central America. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are one of the most useful tools to assist in the diagnosis of malaria in remote areas. Since its introduction, a wide variety of RDTs have been developed for the detection of different parasite antigens. PfHRP2 is the most targeted antigen for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum infections. Genetic mutations and gene deletions are important factors influencing or affecting the performance of rapid diagnostic tests. Methods In order to demonstrate the presence or absence of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes and their flanking regions, a total of 128 blood samples from patients with P. falciparum infection from three Central American countries were analysed through nested or semi-nested PCR approaches. Results In total, 25.8 and 91.4% of the isolates lacked the region located between exon 1 and exon 2 of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes, respectively. Parasites from the three countries showed deletions of one or both genes. The highest proportion of pfhrp2 deletions was found in Nicaragua while the isolates from Guatemala revealed the lowest number of pfhrp2 deletions. Parasites collected from Honduras showed the highest proportion of phfrp3 absence (96.2%). Twenty-one percent of isolates were double negative mutants for the exon 1–2 segment of both genes, and 6.3% of isolates lacked the full-length coding region of both genes. Conclusions This study provides molecular evidence of the existence of P. falciparum isolates lacking the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes, and their flanking regions, in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. This finding could hinder progress in the control and elimination of malaria in Central America. Continuous evaluation of RDTs and molecular surveillance would be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Fontecha
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
| | - Rosa E Mejía
- Panamerican Health Organization, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Engels Banegas
- National Department of Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | | | - Lisandro Mendoza
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Bryan Ortiz
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Isaac Sabillón
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Gerardo Alvarado
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Gabriela Matamoros
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Alejandra Pinto
- Microbiology Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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Smith NR, Trauer JM, Gambhir M, Richards JS, Maude RJ, Keith JM, Flegg JA. Agent-based models of malaria transmission: a systematic review. Malar J 2018; 17:299. [PMID: 30119664 PMCID: PMC6098619 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2442-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Much of the extensive research regarding transmission of malaria is underpinned by mathematical modelling. Compartmental models, which focus on interactions and transitions between population strata, have been a mainstay of such modelling for more than a century. However, modellers are increasingly adopting agent-based approaches, which model hosts, vectors and/or their interactions on an individual level. One reason for the increasing popularity of such models is their potential to provide enhanced realism by allowing system-level behaviours to emerge as a consequence of accumulated individual-level interactions, as occurs in real populations. METHODS A systematic review of 90 articles published between 1998 and May 2018 was performed, characterizing agent-based models (ABMs) relevant to malaria transmission. The review provides an overview of approaches used to date, determines the advantages of these approaches, and proposes ideas for progressing the field. RESULTS The rationale for ABM use over other modelling approaches centres around three points: the need to accurately represent increased stochasticity in low-transmission settings; the benefits of high-resolution spatial simulations; and heterogeneities in drug and vaccine efficacies due to individual patient characteristics. The success of these approaches provides avenues for further exploration of agent-based techniques for modelling malaria transmission. Potential extensions include varying elimination strategies across spatial landscapes, extending the size of spatial models, incorporating human movement dynamics, and developing increasingly comprehensive parameter estimation and optimization techniques. CONCLUSION Collectively, the literature covers an extensive array of topics, including the full spectrum of transmission and intervention regimes. Bringing these elements together under a common framework may enhance knowledge of, and guide policies towards, malaria elimination. However, because of the diversity of available models, endorsing a standardized approach to ABM implementation may not be possible. Instead it is recommended that model frameworks be contextually appropriate and sufficiently described. One key recommendation is to develop enhanced parameter estimation and optimization techniques. Extensions of current techniques will provide the robust results required to enhance current elimination efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal R Smith
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - James M Trauer
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Manoj Gambhir
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- IBM Research Australia, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jack S Richards
- Life Sciences, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard J Maude
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Jonathan M Keith
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Jennifer A Flegg
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Saito T, Kikuchi A, Kaneko A, Isozumi R, Teramoto I, Kimura M, Hirasawa N, Hiratsuka M. Rapid and sensitive multiplex single-tube nested PCR for the identification of five human Plasmodium species. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:277-283. [PMID: 29374580 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is caused by five species of Plasmodium in humans. Microscopy is currently used for pathogen detection, requiring considerable training and technical expertise as the parasites are often difficult to differentiate morphologically. Rapid diagnostic tests are as reliable as microscopy and offer faster diagnoses but possess lower detection limits and are incapable of distinguishing among the parasitic species. To improve global health efforts towards malaria control, a rapid, sensitive, species-specific, and economically viable diagnostic method is needed. In this study, we designed a malaria diagnostic method involving a multiplex single-tube nested PCR targeting Plasmodium mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase III and single-stranded tag hybridization chromatographic printed-array strip. The detection sensitivity was found to be at least 40 times higher than that of agarose gel electrophoresis with ethidium bromide. This system also enables the identification of both single- and mixed-species malaria infections. The assay was validated with 152 Kenyan samples; using nested PCR as the standard, the assay's sensitivity and specificity were 88.7% and 100.0%, respectively. The turnaround time required, from PCR preparation to signal detection, is 90min. Our method should improve the diagnostic speed, treatment efficacy, and control of malaria, in addition to facilitating surveillance within global malaria eradication programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Saito
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapy of Life-Style Related Diseases, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Aoi Kikuchi
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapy of Life-Style Related Diseases, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Akira Kaneko
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Rie Isozumi
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Isao Teramoto
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Kimura
- Radioisotope Centre, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
| | - Noriyasu Hirasawa
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapy of Life-Style Related Diseases, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hiratsuka
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapy of Life-Style Related Diseases, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai 980-8574, Japan; Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
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Beshir KB, Sepúlveda N, Bharmal J, Robinson A, Mwanguzi J, Busula AO, de Boer JG, Sutherland C, Cunningham J, Hopkins H. Plasmodium falciparum parasites with histidine-rich protein 2 (pfhrp2) and pfhrp3 gene deletions in two endemic regions of Kenya. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14718. [PMID: 29116127 PMCID: PMC5677122 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15031-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Deletions of the Plasmodium falciparum hrp2 and hrp3 genes can affect the performance of HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Such deletions have been reported from South America, India and Eritrea. Whether these parasites are widespread in East Africa is unknown. A total of 274 samples from asymptomatic children in Mbita, western Kenya, and 61 genomic data from Kilifi, eastern Kenya, were available for analysis. PCR-confirmed samples were investigated for the presence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes. In samples with evidence of deletion, parasite presence was confirmed by amplifying three independent genes. We failed to amplify pfhrp2 from 25 of 131 (19.1%) PCR-confirmed samples. Of these, only 8 (10%) samples were microscopic positive and were classified as pfhrp2-deleted. Eight microscopically-confirmed pfhrp2-deleted samples with intact pfhrp3 locus were positive by HRP2-based RDT. In addition, one PCR-confirmed infection showed a deletion at the pfhrp3 locus. One genomic sample lacked pfhrp2 and one lacked pfhrp3. No sample harbored parasites lacking both genes. Parasites lacking pfhrp2 are present in Kenya, but may be detectable by HRP-based RDT at higher parasitaemia, possibly due to the presence of intact pfhrp3. These findings warrant further systematic study to establish prevalence and diagnostic significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Centre for Statistics and Applications of University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jameel Bharmal
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ailie Robinson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Annette Obukosia Busula
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Kaimosi Friends University College, Kaimosi, Kenya
| | - Jetske Gudrun de Boer
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jane Cunningham
- Global Malaria Programme, World Health Organization (WHO-GMP), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Heidi Hopkins
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Kiemde F, Bonko MDA, Tahita MC, Lompo P, Rouamba T, Tinto H, van Hensbroek MB, Mens PF, Schallig HDFH. Accuracy of a Plasmodium falciparum specific histidine-rich protein 2 rapid diagnostic test in the context of the presence of non-malaria fevers, prior anti-malarial use and seasonal malaria transmission. Malar J 2017; 16:294. [PMID: 28728558 PMCID: PMC5520287 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1941-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It remains challenging to distinguish malaria from other fever causing infections, as a positive rapid diagnostic test does not always signify a true active malaria infection. This study was designed to determine the influence of other causes of fever, prior anti-malarial treatment, and a possible seasonality of the performance of a PfHRP2 RDT for the diagnosis of malaria in children under-5 years of age living in a malaria endemic area. Methods A prospective etiology study was conducted in 2015 among febrile children under 5 years of age in Burkina Faso. In order to assess the influence of other febrile illnesses, prior treatment and seasonality on the performance of a PfHRP2 RDT in diagnosing malaria, the RDT results were compared with the gold standard (expert microscopic diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum) and test results were analysed by assuming that prior anti-malarial use and bacterial/viral infection status would have been known prior to testing. To assess bacterial and viral infection status blood, urine and stool samples were analysed. Results In total 683 blood samples were analysed with microscopy and RDT-PfHRP2. Plasmodium falciparum malaria was diagnosed in 49.8% (340/683) by microscopy compared to 69.5% (475/683) by RDT-PfHRP2. The RDT-PfHRP2 reported 29.7% (141/475) false positive results and 1.8% (6/340) false negative cases. The RDT-PfHRP2 had a high sensitivity (98.2%) and negative predictive value (97.1%), but a low specificity (58.9%) and positive predictive value (70.3%). Almost 50% of the alternative cause of fever were diagnosed by laboratory testing in the RDT false positive malaria group. Conclusions The use of a malaria RDT-PfHRP2 in a malaria endemic area may cause misdiagnosis of the actual cause of fever due to false positive test results. The development of a practical diagnostic tool to screen for other causes of fever in malaria endemic areas is required to save lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Kiemde
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Sante-Unite de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso.
| | - Massa Dit Achille Bonko
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Sante-Unite de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Marc Christian Tahita
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Sante-Unite de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Palpouguini Lompo
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Sante-Unite de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Toussaint Rouamba
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Sante-Unite de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | - Halidou Tinto
- Institut de Recherche en Science de la Sante-Unite de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Nanoro, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Petra F Mens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, Parasitology Unit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk D F H Schallig
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, Parasitology Unit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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