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Kigozi RN, Bwanika J, Goodwin E, Thomas P, Bukoma P, Nabyonga P, Isabirye F, Oboth P, Kyozira C, Niang M, Belay K, Sebikaari G, Tibenderana JK, Gudoi SS. Determinants of malaria testing at health facilities: the case of Uganda. Malar J 2021; 20:456. [PMID: 34863172 PMCID: PMC8645102 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03992-9] [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: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends prompt malaria diagnosis with either microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and treatment with an effective anti-malarial, as key interventions to control malaria. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria diagnosis is still often influenced by clinical symptoms, with patients and care providers often interpreting all fevers as malaria. The Ministry of Health in Uganda defines suspected malaria cases as those with a fever. A target of conducting testing for at least 75% of those suspected to have malaria was established by the National Malaria Reduction Strategic Plan 2014–2020. Methods This study investigated factors that affect malaria testing at health facilities in Uganda using data collected in March/April 2017 in a cross-sectional survey of health facilities from the 52 districts that are supported by the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The study assessed health facility capacity to provide quality malaria care and treatment. Data were collected from all 1085 public and private health facilities in the 52 districts. Factors assessed included supportive supervision, availability of malaria management guidelines, laboratory infrastructure, and training health workers in the use of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Survey data were matched with routinely collected health facility malaria data obtained from the district health information system Version-2 (DHIS2). Associations between testing at least 75% of suspect malaria cases with several factors were examined using multivariate logistic regression. Results Key malaria commodities were widely available; 92% and 85% of the health facilities reported availability of RDTs and artemether–lumefantrine, respectively. Overall, 933 (86%) of the facilities tested over 75% of patients suspected to have malaria. Predictors of meeting the testing target were: supervision in the last 6 months (OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.04–2.85) and a health facility having at least one health worker trained in the use of RDTs (OR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.55). Conclusion The study findings underscore the need for malaria control programmes to provide regular supportive supervision to health facilities and train health workers in the use of RDTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth N Kigozi
- MAPD Project, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | - Emily Goodwin
- MAPD Project, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Thomas
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US President's Malaria Initiative, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Patrick Bukoma
- MAPD Project, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Persis Nabyonga
- MAPD Project, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred Isabirye
- MAPD Project, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Oboth
- Infectious Disease Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Mame Niang
- Malaria Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kassahun Belay
- US President's Malaria Initiative, US Agency for International Development, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gloria Sebikaari
- US President's Malaria Initiative, US Agency for International Development, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Sam Siduda Gudoi
- MAPD Project, US President's Malaria Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
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van Duijn SMC, Siteyi AK, Smith S, Milimo E, Stijvers L, Oguttu M, Amollo MO, Okeyo EO, Dayo L, Kwambai T, Onyango D, Rinke de Wit TF. Connected diagnostics to improve accurate diagnosis, treatment, and conditional payment of malaria services in Kenya. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2021; 21:233. [PMID: 34348696 PMCID: PMC8335459 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-021-01600-z] [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: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In sub-Saharan Africa, the material and human capacity to diagnose patients reporting with fever to healthcare providers is largely insufficient. Febrile patients are typically treated presumptively with antimalarials and/or antibiotics. Such over-prescription can lead to drug resistance and involves unnecessary costs to the health system. International funding for malaria is currently not sufficient to control malaria. Transition to domestic funding is challenged by UHC efforts and recent COVID-19 outbreak. Herewith we present a digital approach to improve efficiencies in diagnosis and treatment of malaria in endemic Kisumu, Kenya: Connected Diagnostics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, user experience and clinical performance of this approach in Kisumu. Methods Our intervention was performed Oct 2017–Dec 2018 across five private providers in Kisumu. Patients were enrolled on M-TIBA platform, diagnostic test results digitized, and only positive patients were digitally entitled to malaria treatment. Data on socio-demographics, healthcare transactions and medical outcomes were analysed using standard descriptive quantitative statistics. Provider perspectives were gathered by 19 semi-structured interviews. Results In total 11,689 febrile patients were digitally tested through five private providers. Malaria positivity ranged from 7.4 to 30.2% between providers, significantly more amongst the poor (p < 0.05). Prescription of antimalarials was substantially aberrant from National Guidelines, with 28% over-prescription (4.6–63.3% per provider) and prescription of branded versus generic antimalarials differing amongst facilities and correlating with the socioeconomic status of clients. Challenges were encountered transitioning from microscopy to RDT. Conclusion We provide full proof-of-concept of innovative Connected Diagnostics to use digitized malaria diagnostics to earmark digital entitlements for correct malaria treatment of patients. This approach has large cost-saving and quality improvement potential. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-021-01600-z.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Monica Oguttu
- Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET), Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | | | - Lilyana Dayo
- Malaria Control Program Coordinator-Kisumu County - Ministry of Health, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Titus Kwambai
- Kenyan Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Tobias F Rinke de Wit
- PharmAccess Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Joep Lange Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Varo R, Balanza N, Mayor A, Bassat Q. Diagnosis of clinical malaria in endemic settings. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 19:79-92. [PMID: 32772759 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1807940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malaria continues to be a major global health problem, with over 228 million cases and 405,000 deaths estimated to occur annually. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of malaria is essential to decrease the burden and impact of this disease, particularly in children. We aimed to review the main available techniques for the diagnosis of clinical malaria in endemic settings and explore possible future options to improve its rapid recognition. AREAS COVERED literature relevant to malaria diagnosis was identified through electronic searches in Pubmed, with no language or date restrictions and limited to humans. EXPERT OPINION Light microscopy is still considered the gold standard method for malaria diagnosis and continues to be at the frontline of malaria diagnosis. However, technologies as rapid diagnostic tests, mainly those who detect histidine-rich protein-2, offer an accurate, rapid and affordable alternative for malaria diagnosis in endemic areas. They are now the technique most extended in endemic areas for parasitological confirmation. In these settings, PCR-based assays are usually restricted to research and they are not currently helpful in the management of clinical malaria. Other technologies, such as isothermal methods could be an interesting and alternative approach to PCR in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosauro Varo
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat De Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain.,Centro De Investigação Em Saúde De Manhiça (CISM) , Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Núria Balanza
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat De Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat De Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain.,Centro De Investigação Em Saúde De Manhiça (CISM) , Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat De Barcelona , Barcelona, Spain.,Centro De Investigação Em Saúde De Manhiça (CISM) , Maputo, Mozambique.,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23 , Barcelona, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan De Deu (University of Barcelona) , Barcelona, Spain.,Consorcio De Investigación Biomédica En Red De Epidemiología Y Salud Publica (CIBERESP) , Madrid, Spain
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4
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Yegorov S, Joag V, Galiwango RM, Good SV, Okech B, Kaul R. Impact of Endemic Infections on HIV Susceptibility in Sub-Saharan Africa. TROPICAL DISEASES TRAVEL MEDICINE AND VACCINES 2019; 5:22. [PMID: 31798936 PMCID: PMC6884859 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-019-0097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a leading cause of global morbidity with the highest burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). For reasons that are incompletely understood, the likelihood of HIV transmission is several fold higher in SSA than in higher income countries, and most of these infections are acquired by young women. Residents of SSA are also exposed to a variety of endemic infections, such as malaria and various helminthiases that could influence mucosal and systemic immunology. Since these immune parameters are important determinants of HIV acquisition and progression, this review explores the possible effects of endemic infections on HIV susceptibility and summarizes current knowledge of the epidemiology and underlying immunological mechanisms by which endemic infections could impact HIV acquisition. A better understanding of the interaction between endemic infections and HIV may enhance HIV prevention programs in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Yegorov
- 1Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,2Department of Pedagogical Mathematics and Natural Science, Faculty of Education and Humanities, Suleyman Demirel University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Vineet Joag
- 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Ronald M Galiwango
- 1Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara V Good
- 4Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON Canada.,5Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada
| | | | - Rupert Kaul
- 1Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,7Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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Gupta H, Galatas B, Matambisso G, Nhamussua L, Cisteró P, Bassat Q, Casellas A, Macete E, Aponte JJ, Sacoor C, Alonso P, Saúte F, Guinovart C, Aide P, Mayor A. Differential expression of var subgroups and PfSir2a genes in afebrile Plasmodium falciparum malaria: a matched case-control study. Malar J 2019; 18:326. [PMID: 31547813 PMCID: PMC6755688 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2963-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor knowledge on the afebrile Plasmodium falciparum biology limits elimination approaches to target asymptomatic malaria. Therefore, the association of parasite factors involved in cytoadhesion, parasite multiplication and gametocyte maturation with afebrile malaria was assessed. Methods Plasmodium falciparum isolates were collected from febrile (axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C or a reported fever in the previous 24 h) and afebrile (fever neither at the visit nor in the previous 24 h) individuals residing in Southern Mozambique. var, PfSir2a and Pfs25 transcript levels were determined by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCRs (RT-qPCRs) and compared among 61 pairs of isolates matched by parasite density, age and year of sample collection. Results The level of varC and PfSir2a transcripts was higher in P. falciparum isolates from afebrile individuals (P ≤ 0.006), while varB and DC8 genes (P ≤ 0.002) were higher in isolates from individuals with febrile infections. After adjusting the analysis by area of residence, doubling the relative transcript unit (RTU) of varC and PfSir2a was associated with a 29.7 (95% CI 4.6–192.3) and 8.5 (95% CI 1.9–32.2) fold increases, respectively, of the odds of being afebrile. In contrast, doubling the RTU of varB and DC8 was associated with a 0.8 (95% CI 0.05–0.6) and 0.2 (95% CI 0.04–0.6) fold changes, respectively, of the odds of being afebrile. No significant differences were found for Pfs25 transcript levels in P. falciparum isolates from afebrile and febrile individuals. Conclusions var and gametocyte-specific transcript patterns in febrile and afebrile infections from southern Mozambique matched by age, parasite density and recruitment period suggest similar transmissibility but differential expression of variant antigens involved in cytoadhesion and immune-evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Gupta
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,, Carrer Rosselló 153 (CEK Building), 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Galatas
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | | | - Lidia Nhamussua
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Pau Cisteró
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique.,ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.,Pediatrics department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (University of Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina Casellas
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eusébio Macete
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - John J Aponte
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | | | - Pedro Alonso
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Francisco Saúte
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Caterina Guinovart
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Pedro Aide
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique.,National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Alfredo Mayor
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Manhiça, Mozambique
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Prevalence of Malaria and TB Coinfection at a National Tuberculosis Treatment Centre in Uganda. J Trop Med 2019; 2019:3741294. [PMID: 31428162 PMCID: PMC6683771 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3741294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of malaria and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection is not well established in countries that are highly burdened for both diseases. Malaria could impair TB containment and increase mortality of TB patients. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria/TB coinfection among bacteriologically confirmed adult TB patients at a national TB treatment centre in Uganda. Using a cross-sectional study design we enrolled 363 bacteriologically confirmed adult TB patients, and data on demographics and medical history was collected. Blood samples were tested for malaria blood smear, rapid malaria diagnostic test (RDT), complete blood count, haematological film analysis, HIV serology, and CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts. Malaria was defined as either a positive blood smear or RDT. The study participants were mostly male (61.4%), with a median age of 31 (interquartile range, IQR: 25-39) years, and 35.8% were HIV positive. The prevalence of malaria was 2.2% (8/363) on the overall and 5% (3/58) among participants with rifampicin resistance. A triple infection of HIV, malaria, and rifampicin resistant TB was observed in 3 participants. The prevalence of malaria among TB patients is low, and further evaluation of the epidemiological, clinical, and immunological interaction of the two diseases is warranted.
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7
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Mfuh KO, Achonduh-Atijegbe OA, Bekindaka ON, Esemu LF, Mbakop CD, Gandhi K, Leke RGF, Taylor DW, Nerurkar VR. A comparison of thick-film microscopy, rapid diagnostic test, and polymerase chain reaction for accurate diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Malar J 2019; 18:73. [PMID: 30866947 PMCID: PMC6416847 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2711-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate diagnosis of malaria is important for effective disease management and control. In Cameroon, presumptive clinical diagnosis, thick-film microscopy (TFM), and rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) are commonly used to diagnose cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, these methods lack sensitivity to detect low parasitaemia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), on the other hand, enhances the detection of sub-microscopic parasitaemia making it a much-needed tool for epidemiological surveys, mass screening, and the assessment of interventions for malaria elimination. Therefore, this study sought to determine the frequency of cases missed by traditional methods that are detected by PCR. Methods Blood samples, collected from 551 febrile Cameroonian patients between February 2014 and February 2015, were tested for P. falciparum by microscopy, RDT and PCR. The hospital records of participants were reviewed to obtain data on the clinical diagnosis made by the health care worker. Results The prevalence of malaria by microscopy, RDT and PCR was 31%, 45%, and 54%, respectively. However, of the 92% of participants diagnosed as having clinical cases of malaria by the health care worker, 38% were malaria-negative by PCR. PCR detected 23% and 12% more malaria infections than microscopy and RDT, respectively. A total of 128 (23%) individuals had sub-microscopic infections in the study population. The sensitivity of microscopy, RDT, and clinical diagnosis was 57%, 78% and 100%; the specificity was 99%, 94%, and 17%; the positive predictive values were 99%, 94%, and 59%; the negative predictive values were 66%, 78%, and 100%, respectively. Thus, 41% of the participants clinically diagnosed as having malaria had fever caused by other pathogens. Conclusions Malaria diagnostic methods, such as TFM and RDT missed 12–23% of malaria cases detected by PCR. Therefore, traditional diagnostic approaches (TFM, RDT and clinical diagnosis) are not adequate when accurate epidemiological data are needed for monitoring malaria control and elimination interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji O Mfuh
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.,Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Livo F Esemu
- Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Calixt D Mbakop
- National Medical Research Institute (IMPM), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Krupa Gandhi
- Biostatistics Core Facility Department of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Rose G F Leke
- Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Diane W Taylor
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Vivek R Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA. .,Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
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8
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Yegorov S, Galiwango RM, Good SV, Mpendo J, Tannich E, Boggild AK, Kiwanuka N, Bagaya BS, Kaul R. Schistosoma mansoni infection and socio-behavioural predictors of HIV risk: a cross-sectional study in women from Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:586. [PMID: 30453907 PMCID: PMC6245923 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3481-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma mansoni infection has been associated with increased risk of HIV transmission in African women. This association might be causal or mediated through shared socio-behavioural factors and associated co-infections. We tested the latter hypothesis in a cross-sectional pilot study in a cohort of women from a S. mansoni endemic region of Uganda. To validate the immunological effects of S. mansoni in this cohort, we additionally assessed known schistosomiasis biomarkers. METHODS HIV-uninfected non-pregnant adult women using public health services were tested for schistosomiasis using the urine circulating cathodic antigen test, followed by serology and Schistosoma spp.-specific PCR. Blood was obtained for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 serology, eosinophil counts and cytokine analysis. Samples collected from the genitourinary tract were used to test for classical sexually transmitted infections (STI), for bacterial vaginosis and to assess recent sexual activity via prostate-specific antigen testing. Questionnaires were used to capture a range of socio-economic and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS Among 58 participants, 33 (57%) had schistosomiasis, which was associated with elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-10 (0.32 vs. 0.19 pg/ml; p = 0.038) and a trend toward increased tumour necrosis factor (TNF) (1.73 vs. 1.42 pg/ml; p = 0.081). Eosinophil counts correlated with levels of both cytokines (r = 0.53, p = 0.001 and r = 0.38, p = 0.019, for IL-10 and TNF, respectively); the association of eosinophilia with schistosomiasis was not significant (OR = 2.538, p = 0.282). Further, schistosomiasis was associated with lower age (per-year OR = 0.910, p = 0.047), being unmarried (OR = 0.263, p = 0.030), less frequent hormonal contraceptive (HC) use (OR = 0.121, p = 0.002, dominated by long acting injectable contraceptives) and a trend to longer time since penile-vaginal sex (OR = 0.350, p = 0.064). All women infected by Chlamydia trachomatis (n = 5), were also positive for schistosomiasis (Fisher's exact p = 0.064). CONCLUSIONS Intestinal schistosomiasis in adult women was associated with systemic immune alterations, suggesting that associations with immunological correlates of HIV susceptibility warrant further investigation. S. mansoni associations with socio-behavioral parameters and C. trachomatis, which may alter both genital immunity and HIV exposure and/or acquisition risk, means that future studies should carefully control for potential confounders. These findings have implications for the design and interpretation of clinical studies on the effects of schistosomiasis on HIV acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Yegorov
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Present address: Faculty of Education and Humanities, Suleyman Demirel University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
| | | | - Sara V Good
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Juliet Mpendo
- Uganda Virus Research Institute -International AIDS Vaccine Initiative HIV Vaccine Program, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Egbert Tannich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea K Boggild
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Public Health Ontario Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | - Noah Kiwanuka
- Uganda Virus Research Institute -International AIDS Vaccine Initiative HIV Vaccine Program, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bernard S Bagaya
- Uganda Virus Research Institute -International AIDS Vaccine Initiative HIV Vaccine Program, Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rupert Kaul
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Modern advances in malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) technology have increased demand for low-cost, easy-to-use assays in areas endemic for malaria. Substantial developments in diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, improvements in non-falciparum RDTs, and novel biotechnological innovations are gradually aligning the performance of RDTs with reference-level diagnostics including PCR and expert microscopy gold standards. RECENT FINDINGS Trends have emerged in recent malaria RDT literature: (1) improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of RDTs for Plasmodium falciparum diagnosis, making them comparable to expert microscopic examination; (2) reduced false-positive and false-negative reactions with novel antibody development; (3) improved sensitivity and specificity capabilities of Plasmodium vivax-specific RDTs; (4) developing RDTs for co-endemic mixed infection differentiation; (5) significant improvements of RDTs for Plasmodium knowlesi; (6) a global push towards assessing and confronting the growing concerns of widespread pfhrp2 gene deletions; and (7) original innovation in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) biotechnological RDT-like platforms that demonstrate promising performance characteristics for P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. knowlesi infections. The past 5 years have been characterized by increasing demand for malaria RDTs, translating into meaningful improvements in performance and novel biotechnological innovation. Future work should facilitate the development of improved RDT platforms for Plasmodium ovale, P. knowlesi, and Plasmodium malariae, and surmount the issue of pfhrp2 gene deletions, while maintaining comparable performance to both PCR and expert microscopy reference standards.
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Diallo N, Akweongo P, Maya E, Aikins M, Sarfo B. Burden of malaria in mobile populations in the Greater Accra region, Ghana: a cross- sectional study. Malar J 2017; 16:109. [PMID: 28274262 PMCID: PMC5343387 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1751-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The burden of malaria in mobile populations remains poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence of malaria among hawkers and long-distance truck drivers in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional design using consecutive sampling method between June and July 2016 in Accra and Tema in Ghana was used in this study. The study population was hawkers who roam and sleep in the Market Streets, and long-distance truck drivers. Participants completed closed ended interview questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, primary residence and knowledge about malaria. Rapid diagnostic test and thick blood smears of each participant were stained with Giemsa and read using microscopy. Geographical position system (GPS) was used to collect the station locations of these mobile populations. Result The overall prevalence of malaria was 15.1% and Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for all malaria infection. The malaria prevalence was 18.9 and 10.9% respectively among hawkers and truck drivers (p < 0.05). The hawkers, the single and the no formal educated participants were more likely to get malaria than the long-distance truck drivers (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.07–3.42), the married (OR = 1.94 95% CI 1.11–3.40) and the educated participants (OR = 2.56 95% CI 1.10–5.93), respectively. After controlling for other variables, marital status (OR = 2.60 95% CI 1.43– 4.73) and educational level (OR = 2.70 95% CI 1.08–6.77) were statistically significantly associated with malaria. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the prevalence of malaria is high among hawkers and long distance truck drivers. Sociodemographic characteristics, such as marital status, occupation and educational level are significantly associated with malaria. The station locations as determined by GPS technology will make these mobile populations easier to reach for any malaria intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouhoum Diallo
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Accra, Ghana.,Malaria Research and Training Center/Department of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases/University of Science Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Patricia Akweongo
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ernest Maya
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Accra, Ghana
| | - Moses Aikins
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bismark Sarfo
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Accra, Ghana.
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