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Antinori S, Giacomelli A, Casalini G, Ridolfo AL. How to manage adult patients with malaria in the non-endemic setting. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024:S1198-743X(24)00301-X. [PMID: 38960312 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis and management of malaria in non-endemic countries presents a continuing challenge. Plasmodium falciparum, which is capable of rapidly inducing severe and life-threatening multiorgan disease, is the species most frequently diagnosed in Europe and North America. OBJECTIVES To summarise the more relevant diagnostic findings and clinical features of malaria observed in non-endemic settings and to provide an update of the key management decision points using three illustrative clinical scenarios of uncomplicated and severe malaria. SOURCES The discussion is based on a relevant literature search spanning the last 20 years. Recommendations are based on available clinical guidelines including those of the WHO, observational studies conducted in non-endemic settings, and, when available, extrapolation from randomised studies from malaria-endemic settings. CONTENT The following topics are covered: diagnosis, including the use of molecular biology; clinical characteristics; management with a specific focus on complicated (severe) and uncomplicated malaria; and areas of resistance to available antimalarial drugs. IMPLICATIONS Malaria imported to non-endemic settings, especially P. falciparum malaria, is sometimes initially overlooked and the delayed diagnosis is responsible for every year of preventable deaths. This review aims to raise awareness of malaria outside endemic countries and to provide clinicians with a practical guide for efficient diagnosis and targeted therapy for the different species involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy.
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Casalini
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy
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Clinical accuracy of malaria loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay as a stand-alone screening tool at a non-endemic Northern California regional health system. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 103:115680. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Schneider R, Lamien-Meda A, Auer H, Wiedermann-Schmidt U, Chiodini PL, Walochnik J. Validation of a novel FRET real-time PCR assay for simultaneous quantitative detection and discrimination of human Plasmodium parasites. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252887. [PMID: 34086817 PMCID: PMC8177637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing numbers of travelers returning from endemic areas, migrants, and refugees have led to a significant rise in the number of imported malaria cases in non-endemic countries. Real- time PCR serves as an excellent diagnostic tool, especially in regions where experience in microscopy is limited. A novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based real-time PCR (FRET-qPCR) was developed and evaluated using 56 reference samples of the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS) for molecular detection of malaria, including P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. Species identification is based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the genome where the MalLC640 probe binds, lowering the melting temperature in the melting curve analysis. The novel FRET-qPCR achieved 100% (n = 56) correct results, compared to 96.43% performing nested PCR. The high sensitivity, with a calculated limit of detection of 199.97 parasites/mL blood for P. falciparum, is a significant advantage, especially if low-level parasitemia has to be ruled out. Even mixed infections of P. falciparum with P. vivax or P. ovale, respectively, were detected. In contrast to many other real-time PCR protocols, this novel FRET-qPCR allows the quantitative and species-specific detection of Plasmodium spp. in one single run. Solely, P. knowlesi was detected but could not be differentiated from P. vivax. The turnaround time of this novel FRET-qPCR including DNA extraction is less than two hours, qualifying it for routine clinical applications, including treatment monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Schneider
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aline Lamien-Meda
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Auer
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Wiedermann-Schmidt
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter L. Chiodini
- UK NEQAS Parasitology, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Walochnik
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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Hartmeyer GN, Hoegh SV, Skov MN, Kemp M. Use of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification in a Resource-Saving Strategy for Primary Malaria Screening in a Non-Endemic Setting. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 100:566-571. [PMID: 30675835 PMCID: PMC6402892 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is traditionally diagnosed by blood smear microscopy, which requires continuous resource-demanding training. In areas with only a few cases of malaria, a simple and rapid test that can reliably exclude malaria could significantly reduce the need for microscopy and training. We evaluated whether loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for screening malaria parasites could reduce the workload in the diagnosis of malaria. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification was used to analyze 38 ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood samples from 23 patients who had previously been tested for malaria by microscopy, antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (antigen-RDT), and in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The samples included blood with low-level parasitaemia and samples with discrepancies between the results of the different methods. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification detected malaria parasites in 27 of 28 samples that were positive according to in-house RT-PCR. There were negative microscopy results in 10 of these and negative antigen-RDT results in 11. The sample with a negative LAMP result and positive in-house RT-PCR result was from a patient who had recently been treated for low-level Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasitaemia. We found LAMP to be reliable for malaria screening and suitable for replacing microscopy without loss of performance. The low number of LAMP-positive samples needing microscopy can be handled by a limited number of trained microscopists. The time saved on training and documentation was estimated to be 520 working hours yearly in our laboratory. Using LAMP for primary screening of patient samples, we have made a diagnostic workflow that ensures more reliable, faster, and less resource-demanding diagnosis of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitte N Hartmeyer
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Silje V Hoegh
- Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne N Skov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Kemp
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Burdino E, Calleri G, Ghisetti V. Added value of loop-mediated isothermal amplification technology (LAMP) in real life for the diagnosis of malaria in travellers. J Travel Med 2019; 26:5537692. [PMID: 31411701 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taz052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Malaria diagnosis in non-endemic countries is questioned by lack of experience and low levels of parasite densities. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is aimed at simplifying these challenges. In a prospective evaluation over a 2-year period, LAMP significantly simplified malaria identification in 478 febrile travellers and can be considered the primary diagnostic test in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Burdino
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, ASL Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Guido Calleri
- Unit A of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, ASL Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Ghisetti
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, ASL Città di Torino, Turin, Italy
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Kamaliddin C, Le Bouar M, Berry A, Fenneteau O, Gillet P, Godineau N, Candolfi E, Houzé S. Assessment of diagnostic methods for imported malaria in mainland France. Med Mal Infect 2019; 50:141-160. [PMID: 31375372 DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Kamaliddin
- Centre national de référence du paludisme, hôpital Bichat, 75018 Paris, France
| | - M Le Bouar
- Service de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU de Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - A Berry
- Service de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU de Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | - O Fenneteau
- Service d'hématologie biologique, CHU Robert-Debré, AP-HP, 75018 Paris, France
| | - P Gillet
- Department of clinical sciences, institute of tropical medicine, 2000 Anvers, Belgium
| | - N Godineau
- Service de parasitologie, centre hospitalier Delafontaine, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
| | - E Candolfi
- Laboratoire de parasitologie, institut de parasitologie et de pathologie tropicale, hôpitaux civils de Strasbourg, CHU, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - S Houzé
- Centre national de référence du paludisme, hôpital Bichat, 75018 Paris, France; Service de parasitologie, hôpital Bichat, AP-HP, 75018 Paris, France.
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Detection of Plasmodium Infection by the illumigene Malaria Assay Compared to Reference Microscopy and Real-Time PCR. J Clin Microbiol 2017; 55:3037-3045. [PMID: 28768730 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00806-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the leading causes of infectious disease in travelers returning from the tropics. The diagnosis of malaria is typically performed by examining Giemsa-stained thick and thin peripheral blood smears, which is time consuming, labor intensive, and requires high levels of proficiency. Alternatively, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a new molecular method, which is rapid, sensitive, and requires less capital equipment and technological training. We conducted a retrospective study comparing two formats of a commercial LAMP assay (Meridian illumigene malaria [M] and malaria Plus [MP]) versus reference microscopy on archived blood specimens (n = 140) obtained from unique returning travelers suspected of having malaria. Discrepant results were resolved by either repeat testing or a laboratory developed ultrasensitive real-time PCR method. On initial testing, the Meridian illumigene M and MP kits had sensitivities of 97.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.7 to 99.7%) and 100.0% (95.1 to 100.0%) and specificities of 93.8% (84.8 to 98.3%) and 91.5% (81.3 to 97.2%), respectively, versus reference microscopy. We project a significant cost reduction in low prevalence settings where malaria is not endemic with LAMP-based malaria screening given the excellent negative predictive value achieved with LAMP.
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Grossman T, Schwartz E, Vainer J, Agmon V, Glazer Y, Goldmann D, Marva E. Contribution of real-time PCR to Plasmodium species identification and to clinical decisions: a nationwide study in a non-endemic setting. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 36:671-675. [PMID: 27966198 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2844-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Treatment choice for patients with malaria in Israeli hospitals is based on microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Here, we demonstrate the cumulative value of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in optimizing the treatment of malaria. Between January 2009 and December 2015, 451 samples from 357 patients were tested in our laboratory using a real-time PCR assay. Hospital laboratory results (without real-time PCR) were compared to those obtained in our laboratory. A total of 307 patients had a malaria-positive laboratory finding in the hospital. Out of those, 288 were confirmed positive and 19 negative using real-time PCR. Two negative hospital results were found to be positive by real-time PCR. More specifically, of 153 cases positive for Plasmodium falciparum by real-time PCR, only 138 (90%) had been correctly identified at the hospitals. Similarly, 66 (67%) of 99 cases positive for P. vivax, 2 (11%) of 18 cases positive for P. ovale, and 3 (30%) of 10 cases positive for P. malariae had been correctly identified. Of 10 cases of mixed infection, only one had been identified as such at the hospital. Thus, real-time PCR was required for correct identification in 81 (28%) out of 290 positive cases. In 52 (18%) of those, there was an erroneous categorization of relapsing versus non-relapsing parasites. In a nationwide study, we found that the use of real-time PCR is definitely beneficial and may change the decision regarding the choice of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Grossman
- Reference Parasitology Laboratory, Central Laboratories, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - E Schwartz
- Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - J Vainer
- Reference Parasitology Laboratory, Central Laboratories, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - V Agmon
- Reference Parasitology Laboratory, Central Laboratories, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Y Glazer
- Epidemiological Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - D Goldmann
- Epidemiological Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - E Marva
- Reference Parasitology Laboratory, Central Laboratories, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
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Dakić Z, Ivović V, Pavlović M, Lavadinović L, Marković M, Djurković-Djaković O. Clinical significance of molecular methods in the diagnosis of imported malaria in returning travelers in Serbia. Int J Infect Dis 2014; 29:24-30. [PMID: 25312981 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to assess the clinical significance of conventional and PCR-based molecular diagnosis in patients with imported malaria in Serbia. METHODS Giemsa microscopy, the rapid diagnostic test, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to detect Plasmodium species in 109 whole-blood samples from patients after their return from malaria endemic areas, including those clinically suspected for malaria (n=97) and healthy travelers (n=12) examined as part of epidemiological surveillance. RESULTS A total of 45 patients were diagnosed with malaria: 42 (93.3%) by microscopy and three (6.7%) additional ones by qPCR. The agreement between the results of species-specific qPCR and microscopy was 73.3%; it was as high as 90.6% for Plasmodium falciparum infections. Follow-up analysis demonstrated persistence of Plasmodium sp DNA for a mean 6 days after the disappearance of parasitemia on microscopy. CONCLUSIONS Due to its sensitivity and specificity, qPCR is a helpful method complementary to microscopy, particularly in cases of low parasitemia. In addition, it is superior to microscopy for species identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zorica Dakić
- Department of Microbiology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Ivović
- Center for Parasitic Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milorad Pavlović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lidija Lavadinović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Marković
- Center for Parasitic Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olgica Djurković-Djaković
- Center for Parasitic Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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