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Schijman AG, Alonso-Padilla J, Britto C, Herrera Bernal CP. Retrospect, advances and challenges in Chagas disease diagnosis: a comprehensive review. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 36:100821. [PMID: 39006126 PMCID: PMC11246061 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions worldwide. The 2030 WHO roadmap aims to eliminate it as a public health concern, emphasising the need for timely diagnosis to enhance treatment access. Current diagnostic algorithms, which rely on multiple tests, have prolonged turnaround times. This proves particularly problematic in resource-limited settings. Addressing this issue necessitates the validation and adoption of innovative tools. We explore recent developments in Chagas disease diagnosis, reviewing historical context and advancements. Despite progress, challenges persist. This article contributes to the understanding of current and future directions in this neglected healthcare area. Parasitological methods are simple but exhibit low sensitivity and require supplementary tests. Molecular methods, with automation potential, allow quantification and higher throughput. Serological tools show good performance but struggle with parasite antigenic diversity. Prioritising point-of-care tests is crucial for widespread accessibility and could offer a strategy to control disease impact. Ultimately, balancing achievements and ongoing obstacles is essential for comprehensive progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr Héctor Torres", INGEBI- CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires, 1428 ADN, Argentina
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Carrer Rosselló 149, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Constança Britto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Endemic Diseases, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, Brazil
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Rojas Panozo L, Rivera Nina S, Wehrendt DP, Casellas A, Pinto L, Mendez S, Kuo CW, Lozano DF, Ortiz L, Pinazo MJ, Picado A, Sanz S, Abril M, Gascon J, Wong S, Schijman AG, Torrico F, Alonso-Padilla J. Evaluation and validation of a PrintrLab-based LAMP assay to identify Trypanosoma cruzi in newborns in Bolivia: a proof-of-concept study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024:S2666-5247(24)00110-1. [PMID: 38971173 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00110-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vertical transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi represents approximately 20% of new Chagas disease cases. Early detection and treatment for women of childbearing age and newborns is a public health priority, but the lack of a simple and reliable diagnostic test remains a major barrier. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a point-of-care loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of T cruzi. METHODS In this proof-of-concept study, we coupled a low-cost 3D printer repurposed for sample preparation and amplification (PrintrLab) to the Eiken T cruzi-LAMP prototype to detect vertically transmitted T cruzi, which we compared with standardised PCR and with the gold-standard algorithm (microscopy at birth and 2 months and serological study several months later). We screened pregnant women from two hospitals in the Bolivian Gran Chaco province, and those who were seropositive for T cruzi were offered the opportunity for their newborns to be enrolled in the study. Newborns were tested by microscopy, LAMP, and PCR at birth and 2 months, and by serology at 8 months. FINDINGS Between April 23 and Nov 17, 2018, 986 mothers were screened, among whom 276 were seropositive for T cruzi (28·0% prevalence, 95% CI 25·6-31·2). In total, 224 infants born to 221 seropositive mothers completed 8 months of follow-up. Congenital transmission was detected in nine of the 224 newborns (4·0% prevalence, 1·9-7·5) by direct microscopy observation, and 14 more cases were diagnosed serologically (6·3%, 3·6-10·3), accounting for an overall vertical transmission rate of 10·3% (6·6-15·0; 23 of 224). All microscopy-positive newborns were positive by PrintrLab-LAMP and by PCR, while these techniques respectively detected four and five extra positive cases among the remaining 215 microscopy-negative newborns. INTERPRETATION The PrintrLab-LAMP yielded a higher sensitivity than microscopy-based analysis. Considering the simpler use and expected lower cost of LAMP compared with PCR, our findings encourage its evaluation in a larger study over a wider geographical area. FUNDING Inter-American Development Bank.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizeth Rojas Panozo
- Fundación Ciencias y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Silvia Rivera Nina
- Fundación Ciencias y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Diana P Wehrendt
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de La Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aina Casellas
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lilian Pinto
- Fundación Ciencias y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Susana Mendez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Daniel F Lozano
- Fundación Ciencias y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia; Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Lourdes Ortiz
- Plataforma de Chagas Tarija - Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho, Tarija, Bolivia
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Albert Picado
- Foundation for Innovative Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sergi Sanz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de La Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres" (INGEBI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Fundación Ciencias y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente (CEADES), Cochabamba, Bolivia; Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic - University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain.
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Moehling TJ, Worthington MD, Wong PYG, Wong SS, Meagher RJ. Development of a Colorimetric Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in Low-Resource Settings. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1193. [PMID: 38893719 PMCID: PMC11172009 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111193] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is an inflammatory parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Early diagnosis is crucial in guiding treatment and slowing disease progression; however, current diagnostic methods have insufficient detection limits and often require skilled technicians. Molecular tests, especially isothermal nucleic acid assays, are advantageous due to their excellent sensitivity, specificity, speed, and simplicity. Here, we optimized a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for T. cruzi. We can detect as few as 2 genomic copies/reaction using three different T. cruzi strains. We examined selectivity using other parasitic protozoans and successfully detected T. cruzi DNA extracted from parasites in human whole blood down to 1.2 parasite equivalents/reaction. We also performed a blinded study using canine blood samples and established a 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the colorimetric LAMP assay. Finally, we used a heated 3D printer bed and an insulated thermos cup to demonstrate that the LAMP incubation step could be performed with accessible, low-cost materials. Altogether, we have developed a high-performing assay for T. cruzi with a simple colorimetric output that would be ideal for rapid, low-cost screening at the point of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J. Moehling
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551, USA; (T.J.M.); (M.D.W.)
| | - Myla D. Worthington
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551, USA; (T.J.M.); (M.D.W.)
| | | | | | - Robert J. Meagher
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551, USA; (T.J.M.); (M.D.W.)
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Pascual-Vázquez G, Alonso-Sardón M, Rodríguez-Alonso B, Pardo-Lledías J, Romero Alegría A, Fernández-Soto P, Muñoz Bellido JL, Muro A, Belhassen-García M. Molecular diagnosis of Chagas disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:95. [PMID: 37845734 PMCID: PMC10577976 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complexity of the Chagas disease and its phases is impossible to have a unique test for both phases and a lot of different epidemiological scenarios. Currently, serology is the reference standard technique; occasionally, results are inconclusive, and a different diagnostic technique is needed. Some guidelines recommend molecular testing. A systematic review and meta-analysis of available molecular tools/techniques for the diagnosis of Chagas disease was performed to measure their heterogeneity and efficacy in detecting Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood samples. METHODS A systematic review was conducted up to July 27, 2022, including studies published in international databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined to select eligible studies. Data were extracted and presented according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Study quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2). A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Forest plots and a summary of the receiving operating characteristics (SROC) curves displayed the outcomes. Heterogeneity was determined by I2 and Tau2 statistics and P values. Funnel plots and Deek's test were used to assess publication bias. A quantitative meta-analysis of the different outcomes in the two different clinical phases was performed. RESULTS We identified 858 records and selected 32 papers. Studies pertained to endemic countries and nonendemic areas with adult and paediatric populations. The sample sizes ranged from 17 to 708 patients. There were no concerns regarding the risk of bias and applicability of all included studies. A positive and nonsignificant correlation coefficient (S = 0.020; P = 0.992) was obtained in the set of studies that evaluated diagnostic tests in the acute phase population (ACD). A positive and significant correlation coefficient (S = 0.597; P < 0.000) was obtained in the case of studies performed in the chronic phase population (CCD). This resulted in high heterogeneity between studies, with the master mix origin and guanidine addition representing significant sources. INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results described in this meta-analysis (qualitative and quantitative analyses) do not allow the selection of the optimal protocol of molecular method for the study of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in any of its phases, among other reasons due to the complexity of this infection. Continuous analysis and optimization of the different molecular techniques is crucial to implement this efficient diagnosis in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Pascual-Vázquez
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Group (E-INTRO), Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Tropical Diseases Research Center of the University of Salamanca (CIETUS), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Montserrat Alonso-Sardón
- Area of Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, E-INTRO, IBSAL, CIETUS, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Alonso
- Internal Medicine Service, University Health Care Complex of Salamanca (CAUSA), E-INTRO, IBSAL, CIETUS, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Javier Pardo-Lledías
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, IDIVAL (Valdecilla Research Institute), Santander, Spain
| | | | - Pedro Fernández-Soto
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Group (E-INTRO), IBSAL. CIETUS. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Muñoz Bellido
- Microbiology and Parasitology Service, CAUSA, IBSAL, CIETUS, CSIC, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Group (E-INTRO), IBSAL. CIETUS. Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Moncef Belhassen-García
- Internal Medicine Service. Infectious Diseases Section, CAUSA, IBSAL, CIETUS, University of Salamanca, Paseo San Vicente 58-182, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Evaluation of the Chagas VirClia ® and Chagas TESA VirClia ® for the Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010050. [PMID: 36678398 PMCID: PMC9864210 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important problem of public health even in regions where it is not endemic. Spain ranks second worldwide in terms of imported cases of T. cruzi infection in the chronic phase. The diagnosis in this stage is made via the detection of antibodies against T. cruzi. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of two fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays, Chagas VirClia® (CHR), which uses a mixture of recombinant antigens, and Chagas TESA VirClia® (TESA), the first chemiluminescence assay based on excretion-secretion antigens of trypomastigotes, both designed in monotest format. A retrospective case-control study was performed using 105 well-characterized samples: 49 from patients with CD, 22 from uninfected individuals, and 32 from patients with other pathologies. Sensitivity was 98% for CHR and 92% for TESA. In contrast, the specificity in both was 100%. Cross-reactivity was observed in leishmaniasis (2/10). CHR meets the criteria to become a tool for serological screening, while TESA has the potential for confirmation and cross-reaction discrimination. The monotest format allows its application in laboratories with a small number of samples. The high specificity of both assays is useful in areas where leishmaniasis is endemic.
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Flores-Chavez MD, Abras A, Ballart C, Ibáñez-Perez I, Perez-Gordillo P, Gállego M, Muñoz C, Moure Z, Sulleiro E, Nieto J, García Diez E, Simón L, Cruz I, Picado A. Parasitemia Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Spain, an Area Where the Disease Is Not Endemic: Trends by Different Molecular Approaches. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0262822. [PMID: 36190410 PMCID: PMC9603785 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02628-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi infection has expanded globally through human migration. In Spain, the mother-to-child route is the mode of transmission contributing to autochthonous Chagas disease (CD); however, most people acquired the infection in their country of origin and were diagnosed in the chronic phase (imported chronic CD). In this context, we assessed the quantitative potential of the Loopamp Trypanosoma cruzi detection kit (Sat-TcLAMP) based on satellite DNA (Sat-DNA) to determine parasitemia levels compared to those detected by real-time quantitative PCRs (qPCRs) targeting Sat-DNA (Sat-qPCR) and kinetoplast DNA minicircles (kDNA-qPCR). This study included 173 specimens from 39 autochthonous congenital and 116 imported chronic CD cases diagnosed in Spain. kDNA-qPCR showed higher sensitivity than Sat-qPCR and Sat-TcLAMP. According to all quantitative approaches, parasitemia levels were significantly higher in congenital infection than in chronic CD (1 × 10-1 to 5 × 105 versus >1 × 10-1 to 6 × 103 parasite equivalents/mL, respectively [P < 0.001]). Sat-TcLAMP, Sat-qPCR, and kDNA-qPCR results were equivalent at high levels of parasitemia (P = 0.381). Discrepancies were significant for low levels of parasitemia and older individuals. Differences between Sat-TcLAMP and Sat-qPCR were not qualitatively significant, but estimations of parasitemia using Sat-TcLAMP were closer to those by kDNA-qPCR. Parasitemia changes were assessed in 6 individual cases in follow-up, in which trends showed similar patterns by all quantitative approaches. At high levels of parasitemia, Sat-TcLAMP, Sat-qPCR, and kDNA-qPCR worked similarly, but significant differences were found for the low levels characteristic of late chronic CD. A suitable harmonization strategy needs to be developed for low-level parasitemia detection using Sat-DNA- and kDNA-based tests. IMPORTANCE Currently, molecular equipment has been introduced into many health care centers, even in low-income countries. PCR, qPCR, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) are becoming more accessible for the diagnosis of neglected infectious diseases. Chagas disease (CD) is spreading worldwide, and in countries where the disease is not endemic, such as Spain, the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted from mother to child (congenital CD). Here, we explore why LAMP, aimed at detecting T. cruzi parasite DNA, is a reliable option for the diagnosis of congenital CD and the early detection of reactivation in chronic infection. When the parasite load is high, LAMP is equivalent to any qPCR. In addition, the estimations of T. cruzi parasitemia in patients living in Spain, a country where the disease is not endemic, resemble natural evolution in areas of endemicity. If molecular tests are introduced into the diagnostic algorithm for congenital infection, early diagnosis and timely treatment would be accomplished, so the interruption of vertical transmission can be an achievable goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria D. Flores-Chavez
- National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Fundación Mundo Sano-España, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Abras
- Departament de Biologia, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ballart
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ismael Ibáñez-Perez
- National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Montserrat Gállego
- Secció de Parasitologia, Departament de Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Muñoz
- Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Zaira Moure
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Elena Sulleiro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Nieto
- National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilia García Diez
- National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Simón
- National Centre of Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Israel Cruz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Albert Picado
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
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Sereno D, Oury B, Geiger A, Vela A, Karmaoui A, Desquesnes M. Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification to Detect Infection Caused by Parasites of the Trypanosomatidae Family: A Literature Review and Opinion on the Laboratory to Field Applicability. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147543. [PMID: 35886895 PMCID: PMC9322063 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Isothermal amplification of nucleic acids has the potential to be applied in resource-limited areas for the detection of infectious agents, as it does not require complex nucleic purification steps or specific and expensive equipment and reagents to perform the reaction and read the result. Since human and animal infections by pathogens of the Tryponasomatidae family occur mainly in resource-limited areas with scant health infrastructures and personnel, detecting infections by these methodologies would hold great promise. Here, we conduct a narrative review of the literature on the application of isothermal nucleic acid amplification for Trypanosoma and Leishmania infections, which are a scourge for human health and food security. We highlight gaps and propose ways to improve them to translate these powerful technologies into real-world field applications for neglected human and animal diseases caused by Trypanosomatidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sereno
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Parasite Infectiology and Public Health Group, 34032 Montpellier, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Bruno Oury
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, Parasite Infectiology and Public Health Group, 34032 Montpellier, France;
| | - Anne Geiger
- Centre International de Recherche en Agronomie pour le Développement, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Montpellier, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, 34032 Montpellier, France;
| | - Andrea Vela
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de las Américas-Quito, Calle de los Colimes y Avenida De los Granados, Quito 170513, Ecuador;
| | - Ahmed Karmaoui
- Bioactives (Health and Environmental, Epigenetics Team), Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Errachidia (UMI), Moroccan Center for Culture and Sciences, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes 50000, Morocco;
| | - Marc Desquesnes
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, 31076 Toulouse, France;
- INTERTRYP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, 34032 Montpellier, France
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Muñoz-Calderón AA, Besuschio SA, Wong S, Fernández M, García Cáceres LJ, Giorgio P, Barcan LA, Markham C, Liu YE, de Noya BA, Longhi SA, Schijman AG. Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA for Point-of-Care Follow-Up of Anti-Parasitic Treatment of Chagas Disease. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050909. [PMID: 35630354 PMCID: PMC9142941 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay was evaluated as a surrogate marker of treatment failure in Chagas disease (CD). A convenience series of 18 acute or reactivated CD patients who received anti-parasitic treatment with benznidazole was selected-namely, nine orally infected patients: three people living with HIV and CD reactivation, five chronic CD recipients with reactivation after organ transplantation and one seronegative recipient of a kidney and liver transplant from a CD donor. Fifty-four archival samples (venous blood treated with EDTA or guanidinium hydrochloride-EDTA buffer and cerebrospinal fluid) were extracted using a Spin-column manual kit and tested by T. cruzi Loopamp kit (Tc-LAMP, index test) and standardized real-time PCR (qPCR, comparator test). Of them, 23 samples were also extracted using a novel repurposed 3D printer designed for point-of-care DNA extraction (PrintrLab). The agreement between methods was estimated by Cohen's kappa index and Bland-Altman plot analysis. The T. cruzi Loopamp kit was as sensitive as qPCR for detecting parasite DNA in samples with parasite loads higher than 0.5 parasite equivalents/mL and infected with different discrete typing units. The agreement between qPCR and Tc-LAMP (Spin-column) or Tc-LAMP (PrintrLab) was excellent, with a mean difference of 0.02 [CI = -0.58-0.62] and -0.04 [CI = -0.45-0.37] and a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.78 [CI = 0.60-0.96] and 0.90 [CI = 0.71 to 1.00], respectively. These findings encourage prospective field studies to validate the use of LAMP as a surrogate marker of treatment failure in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo A Muñoz-Calderón
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Susana A Besuschio
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Season Wong
- AI Biosciences, Inc., College Station, TX 77845, USA
| | - Marisa Fernández
- Hospital de Enfermedades Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco J. Muñiz", Buenos Aires 1282, Argentina
| | - Lady J García Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Patricia Giorgio
- Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1280, Argentina
| | - Laura A Barcan
- Sección Infectología, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires 1199, Argentina
| | - Cole Markham
- AI Biosciences, Inc., College Station, TX 77845, USA
| | - Yanwen E Liu
- AI Biosciences, Inc., College Station, TX 77845, USA
| | | | - Silvia A Longhi
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
| | - Alejandro G Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires 1428, Argentina
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Worldwide Control and Management of Chagas Disease in a New Era of Globalization: a Close Look at Congenital Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0015221. [PMID: 35239422 PMCID: PMC9020358 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00152-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Population movements have turned Chagas disease (CD) into a global public health problem. Despite the successful implementation of subregional initiatives to control vectorial and transfusional Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in Latin American settings where the disease is endemic, congenital CD (cCD) remains a significant challenge. In countries where the disease is not endemic, vertical transmission plays a key role in CD expansion and is the main focus of its control. Although several health organizations provide general protocols for cCD control, its management in each geopolitical region depends on local authorities, which has resulted in a multitude of approaches. The aims of this review are to (i) describe the current global situation in CD management, with emphasis on congenital infection, and (ii) summarize the spectrum of available strategies, both official and unofficial, for cCD prevention and control in countries of endemicity and nonendemicity. From an economic point of view, the early detection and treatment of cCD are cost-effective. However, in countries where the disease is not endemic, national health policies for cCD control are nonexistent, and official regional protocols are scarce and restricted to Europe. Countries of endemicity have more protocols in place, but the implementation of diagnostic methods is hampered by economic constraints. Moreover, most protocols in both countries where the disease is endemic and those where it is not endemic have yet to incorporate recently developed technologies. The wide methodological diversity in cCD diagnostic algorithms reflects the lack of a consensus. This review may represent a first step toward the development of a common strategy, which will require the collaboration of health organizations, governments, and experts in the field.
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Edwards MS, Montgomery SP. Congenital Chagas disease: progress toward implementation of pregnancy-based screening. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2021; 34:538-545. [PMID: 34292173 PMCID: PMC10203783 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Lack of recognition of congenital Chagas disease in infants of mothers from endemic regions who are living in countries nonendemic for Trypanosoma cruzi infection suggests a high rate of underdiagnosis. Pregnancy is the optimal access point for identifying Chagas disease in at-risk mothers and their infants. In this review, we update progress toward implementation of pregnancy-based screening for congenital Chagas disease in nonendemic settings. RECENT FINDINGS International organizations have updated recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital Chagas disease. Reports of successful implementation of pregnancy-based screening at some centers provide a model for optimizing diagnosis of congenital Chagas disease. Screening family members of index patients may identify additional T. cruzi-infected persons. Promising tests to augment current diagnostic modalities for maternal and congenital Chagas disease are in development. Universal or risk-based screening would be cost-effective. More healthcare providers are now aware that treatment of congenital Chagas disease is curative and are promoting efforts to make pregnancy-based screening for congenital Chagas disease a standard of care. SUMMARY Ongoing efforts to implement routine pregnancy-based screening for congenital Chagas disease in nonendemic regions will mutually benefit infants, their mothers and family members and can prevent potentially fatal Chagas cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morven S. Edwards
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas and
| | - Susan P. Montgomery
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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