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Maddren R, Phillips A, Rayment Gomez S, Forbes K, Collyer BS, Kura K, Anderson R. Individual longitudinal compliance to neglected tropical disease mass drug administration programmes, a systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010853. [PMID: 37459369 PMCID: PMC10374057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeated distribution of preventative chemotherapy (PC) by mass drug administration forms the mainstay of transmission control for five of the 20 recognised neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and trachoma. The efficiency of such programmes is reliant upon participants swallowing the offered treatment consistently at each round. This is measured by compliance, defined as the proportion of eligible participants swallowing treatment. Individually linked longitudinal compliance data is important for assessing the potential impact of MDA-based control programmes, yet this accurate monitoring is rarely implemented in those for NTDs. Longitudinal compliance data reported by control programmes globally for the five (PC)-NTDs since 2016 is examined, focusing on key associations of compliance with age and gender. PubMed and Web of Science was searched in January 2022 for articles written in English and Spanish, and the subsequent extraction adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Study title screening was aided by Rayyan, a machine learning software package. Studies were considered for inclusion if primary compliance data was recorded for more than one time point, in a population larger than 100 participants. All data analysis was conducted in R. A total of 89 studies were identified containing compliance data, 57 were longitudinal studies, of which 25 reported individually linked data reported by varying methods. The association of increasing age with the degree of systematic treatment was commonly reported. The review is limited by the paucity of data published on this topic. The varying and overlapping terminologies used to describe coverage (receiving treatment) and compliance (swallowing treatment) is reviewed. Consequently, it is recommended that WHO considers clearly defining the terms for coverage, compliance, and longitudinal compliance which are currently contradictory across their NTD treatment guidelines. This review is registered with PROSPERO (number: CRD42022301991).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Maddren
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Phillips
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
- FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Santiago Rayment Gomez
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Forbes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin S Collyer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Klodeta Kura
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roy Anderson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Saint Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
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Dyer CEF, Clarke NE, Nguyen DN, Herath HMPD, Hii SF, Pickford R, Traub RJ, Vaz Nery S. Assessing the efficacy of albendazole against hookworm in Vietnam using quantitative PCR and sodium nitrate flotation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010767. [PMID: 36315591 PMCID: PMC9668116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Preventive chemotherapy (PC), consisting of the regular distribution of anthelmintics to populations or groups of populations at risk, is the primary tool used to control soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. This strategy, whilst cost-effective, raises the concern of potential emergence of drug resistance. The efficacy of anthelmintics against STH infections is measured using cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate (ERR), using microscopy-based techniques such as the Kato-Katz thick smear. However, Kato-Katz has low sensitivity, especially for low-intensity infections, and requires fresh samples that need to be processed quickly. Realtime quantitative PCR (qPCR), which is more sensitive, is emerging as a "gold standard" for STH diagnostics given its higher sensitivity (important in low prevalence settings) and ability to differentiate hookworm species, while sodium nitrate flotation (SNF) may provide a low-cost more sensitive and practical alternative to Kato-Katz in the field. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a locally manufactured brand of albendazole 400 mg ("Alzental") against hookworm in Đắk Lắk province, Vietnam, using both qPCR and SNF. For qPCR, formulae to convert qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values into eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were utilised to determine efficacy calculations, and these values directly compared with efficacy values generated using SNF. Factors associated with CR and ERR were examined, and Alzental tablet quality was assessed by comparing with an Australian TGA-approved equivalent "Eskazole" tablet. We observed a CR and ERR of 64.9% and 87.5% respectively using qPCR, and 68.4% and 67.6% respectively using SNF. The tablet composition of Alzental was comparable to Eskazole in terms of active albendazole drug concentration with no evidence of impurities. This study demonstrates that the efficacy of Alzental against hookworm is within the range of previously reported studies for albendazole 400 mg. The study also demonstrates the value of qPCR and SNF as alternatives to standard Kato-Katz methodology for assessment of anthelmintic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare E. F. Dyer
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Naomi E. Clarke
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dinh Ng Nguyen
- Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Tay Nguyen University, Đắk Lắk, Vietnam
| | | | - Sze Fui Hii
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Russell Pickford
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of New South Wales Analytical Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susana Vaz Nery
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Grau-Pujol B, Gandasegui J, Escola V, Marti-Soler H, Cambra-Pellejà M, Demontis M, Brienen EAT, Jamine JC, Muchisse O, Cossa A, Sacoor C, Cano J, Van Lieshout L, Martinez-Valladares M, Muñoz J. Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Beta-Tubulin Gene and Its Relationship with Treatment Response to Albendazole in Human Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Southern Mozambique. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd210948. [PMID: 35895348 PMCID: PMC9490645 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) cornerstone control strategy is mass drug administration (MDA) with benzimidazoles. However, MDA might contribute to selection pressure for anthelmintic resistance, as occurred in livestock. The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment response to albendazole and the relationship with the presence of putative benzimidazole resistance single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the β-tubulin gene of STH in Southern Mozambique. After screening 819 participants, we conducted a cohort study with 184 participants infected with STH in Manhiça district, Southern Mozambique. A pretreatment and a posttreatment stool samples were collected and the STH infection was identified by duplicate Kato-Katz and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cure rate and egg reduction rates were calculated. Putative benzimidazole resistance SNPs (F167Y, F200T, and E198A) in Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus were assessed by pyrosequencing. Cure rates by duplicate Kato-Katz and by qPCR were 95.8% and 93.6% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 28% and 7.8% for T. trichiura, and 88.9% and 56.7% for N. americanus. Egg reduction rate by duplicate Kato-Katz was 85.4% for A. lumbricoides, 34.9% for T. trichiura, and 40.5% for N. americanus. Putative benzimidazole resistance SNPs in the β-tubulin gene were detected in T. trichiura (23%) and N. americanus (21%) infected participants at pretreatment. No statistical difference was observed between pretreatment and posttreatment frequencies for none of the SNPs. Although treatment response to albendazole was low, particularly in T. trichiura, the putative benzimidazole resistance SNPs were not higher after treatment in the population studied. New insights are needed for a better understanding and monitoring of human anthelmintic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Grau-Pujol
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Mundo Sano Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Javier Gandasegui
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - Valdemiro Escola
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Helena Marti-Soler
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Cambra-Pellejà
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - Maria Demontis
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A. T. Brienen
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Osvaldo Muchisse
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Anelsio Cossa
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Charfudin Sacoor
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Jorge Cano
- Expanded Special Project for Elimination of NTDs, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, The Republic of the Congo
| | - Lisette Van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Martinez-Valladares
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Grulleros, León, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, León, Spain
| | - Jose Muñoz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic – University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Curico G, García-Bardales P, Pinedo T, Shapiama W, Moncada-Yaicate M, Romaina L, Yori PP, Paredes-Olortegui M, Meza-Sánchez G, Lescano AG, Paz-Soldan VA, Schiaffino F, Oberhelman RA, Kosek MN. Resistance to single dose albendazole and reinfection with intestinal helminths among children ages 2 to 11 years from the Peruvian Amazon region: a study protocol. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:528. [PMID: 35672751 PMCID: PMC9171935 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07494-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deworming programs aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality from geohelminth infections are common in many countries where these infections are endemic, but data demonstrating increasing levels of resistance to albendazole and mebendazole are causes for concern. Studies to evaluate the clinical efficacy of deworming programs are critical to maintain high infection control goals. METHODS We propose to assess the clinical efficacy of Peruvian national guidelines for deworming programs in a prospective observational study conducted in the Amazon River basin area near Iquitos, Peru. Major outcomes to be evaluated include (1) albendazole resistance of intestinal helminths (trichuriasis, ascariasis, hookworm), and (2) frequency of reinfection with intestinal helminths 4 months after treatment with albendazole. Children ages 2-11 years from the Belén District of Iquitos will be identified based on a community census. Following parental informed consent, demographic data, weight, and height will be recorded and a stool specimen for parasitological exam by direct observation and Kato-Katz concentration method, and helminthic egg counts will be collected prior to administration of albendazole, following Peruvian national guidelines. Follow-up stool specimens examined in the same manner will be collected at 20 days, 90 days, and 100 days following initial administration of albendazole, and based on parasites found repeat treatment will be administered in accordance with national guidelines. Real-time multiplex qPCR will be performed on helminth positive samples collected prior to initial deworming and on helminth-positive specimens detected on day 15-20. A total sample size of 380 participants was calculated based on total population in the target group and prevalence estimates of helminth infections and clinical resistance based on recent data. DISCUSSION Data from observational clinical efficacy studies are important to guide geohelminth infection control programs. Trial registration https://www.researchregistry.com/ . Identification number: researchregistry7736; Registered retrospectively March 13, 2022; https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/registrationdetails/622e024cf06132001e3327bf/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greisi Curico
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Paul García-Bardales
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Tackeshy Pinedo
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Wagner Shapiama
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Miguel Moncada-Yaicate
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Lucero Romaina
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Pablo P. Yori
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDivision of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, MR-6 Rm 2207, 345 Crispell Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Maribel Paredes-Olortegui
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Graciela Meza-Sánchez
- grid.440594.80000 0000 8866 0281Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana, Jirón Nauta, 16002 Iquitos, Peru
| | - Andrés G. Lescano
- grid.11100.310000 0001 0673 9488Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado, 430. San Martin de Porres, Lima, Peru
| | - Valerie A. Paz-Soldan
- grid.265219.b0000 0001 2217 8588Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2310, New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
| | - Francesca Schiaffino
- Laboratorio Satelite Iquitos, Asociación Benéfica Prisma, Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Calle Ramirez Hurtado Nº 622, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Richard A. Oberhelman
- grid.265219.b0000 0001 2217 8588Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2310, New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
| | - Margaret N. Kosek
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDivision of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, MR-6 Rm 2207, 345 Crispell Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
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Walker M, Freitas LT, Halder JB, Brack M, Keiser J, King CH, Levecke B, Ai-Lian Lim Y, Pieri O, Sow D, Stothard JR, Webster JP, Zhou XN, Terry RF, Guérin PJ, Basáñez MG. Improving anthelmintic treatment for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases through sharing and reuse of individual participant data. Wellcome Open Res 2022; 7:5. [PMID: 35493199 PMCID: PMC9020536 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17468.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO, https://www.iddo.org) has launched a clinical data platform for the collation, curation, standardisation and reuse of individual participant data (IPD) on treatments for two of the most globally important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs). This initiative aims to harness the power of data-sharing by facilitating collaborative joint analyses of pooled datasets to generate robust evidence on the efficacy and safety of anthelminthic treatment regimens. A crucial component of this endeavour has been the development of a Research Agenda to promote engagement with the SCH and STH research and disease control communities by highlighting key questions that could be tackled using data shared through the IDDO platform. Here, we give a contextual overview of the priority research themes articulated in the Research Agenda-a 'living' document hosted on the IDDO website-and describe the three-stage consultation process behind its development. We also discuss the sustainability and future directions of the platform, emphasising throughout the power and promise of ethical and equitable sharing and reuse of clinical data to support the elimination of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Walker
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, Hatfield, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Luzia T. Freitas
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, Hatfield, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julia B. Halder
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, Hatfield, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew Brack
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charles H. King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Translational Physiology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Yvonne Ai-Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Otavio Pieri
- Laboratory of Health and Environment Education, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janiero, Brazil
| | - Doudou Sow
- Service de Parasitologie, Université Gaston Berger de Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Senegal
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, Hatfield, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Robert F. Terry
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Maria-Gloria Basáñez
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Colella V, Khieu V, Worsley A, Senevirathna D, Muth S, Huy R, Odermatt P, Traub RJ. Risk profiling and efficacy of albendazole against the hookworms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum in Cambodia to support control programs in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2021; 16:100258. [PMID: 34590062 PMCID: PMC8403762 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Hookworm disease is endemic throughout many parts of the Asia Pacific, despite targeted control programs of at-risk populations. The success of these programs has been hindered by the limited efficacy of widely-used mebendazole, rapid re-infection rates linked to persistent reservoirs of untreated people and dogs, and the low sensitivity of conventional coprodiagnostic techniques employed. Methods: Here, we used standard faecal flotation (SFF) and a multiplex qPCR (mqPCR) assay to calculate and compare species-specific cure and egg reduction rates of single dose albendazole (400 mg) against hookworm infections at community level. Data from a cross-sectional survey in 1,232 people from Cambodia were used to inform a generalised linear mixed model to identify risk factors linked to hookworm infection(s) at baseline. Furthermore, we calculated risk factors associated to the probability of being cured after albendazole administration. Findings: Overall, 13·5% of all 1,232 people tested by SFF were positive for hookworm infection(s). Most (80·1%) infected people were >12 years of age, hence above the age targeted by the WHO control program. We estimate that as age increases, the odds of being infected increases at a faster rate for females than for males. We revealed a substantial difference in cure rate of hookworm infection(s) following albendazole treatment using the SFF (81·5%) and mqPCR (46·4%) assays, and provide the first data on the efficacy of this drug against the zoonotic hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum. We estimated that as age increases by one year, the odds of being cured decreases by 0·4%-3·7%. Similarly, the odds of being cured for people who boiled drinking water was estimated to be between 1·02 and 6·82. Interpretation: These findings show that the adoption of refined diagnostic techniques is central to monitoring hookworm infection(s) and the success of control strategies, which can ultimately aid in reducing associated morbidity in human populations. The approach taken is likely to be directly applicable to other parts of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, where specific epidemiological conditions might hamper the success of targeted treatment programs. Funding: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Strategic Research Funds, The University of Melbourne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Colella
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Virak Khieu
- National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | - Dammika Senevirathna
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sinuon Muth
- National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Rekol Huy
- National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca J. Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Verweij JJ. Validation and maintaining laboratory developed molecular tests compliant with ISO15189 for diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 22:595-601. [PMID: 34424112 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2021.1971974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although, in the past few decades molecular diagnostics of parasitic infections have been accepted as first-line diagnostics, laboratories tend to be reluctant of introducing nucleic acid based tests as they dread the validation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs) compliant with ISO1589. AREAS COVERED This paper describes how to set tailor-made performance characteristics for the validation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs) for the molecular diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections complying with the ISO 15189 guidelines. Then, just as important, maintaining these tests by daily monitoring, external quality assessment schemes, and reassessment of the test set-up. EXPERT OPINION Tailoring performance characteristics for the validation of LDTs defining criteria that make sense and actually leading to a process of continuous quality improvement in the day-to-day practice of a diagnostic laboratory. It is essential or even obligatory to modify these characteristics, skip, or to add additional characteristics based on personal or changing insights fitted for a specific setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaco J Verweij
- Microvida Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, ElisabethTweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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8
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Zendejas-Heredia PA, Colella V, Hii SF, Traub RJ. Comparison of the egg recovery rates and limit of detection for soil-transmitted helminths using the Kato-Katz thick smear, faecal flotation and quantitative real-time PCR in human stool. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009395. [PMID: 34038411 PMCID: PMC8153506 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Monitoring the success of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control programs relies on accurate diagnosis and quantitative assessment of infection prevalence and intensity. As preventative chemotherapeutic program coverage for STH expands, the necessity of gaining insights into the relative or comparative sensitivities, in terms of limits of detection (LOD) and egg-recovery-rates (ERR) for microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR-based diagnostic techniques becomes imperative to inform suitability for their intended use for large scale STH monitoring and treatment efficacy studies. Methodology/Principal findings The diagnostic performance in terms of ERR and LOD of the Kato-Katz (KK) thick smear technique, sodium nitrate (NaNO3) faecal floatation (FF) and qPCR for the accurate detection and enumeration of STH eggs were calculated and expressed in eggs per gram (EPG), by experimentally seeding parasite-free human faeces with Ascaris spp., Trichuris spp. and Necator americanus eggs representing low, medium and high intensity infections. The efficiency of NaNO3 flotation was also calculated over a range of specific gravities (SpGr) for the optimum recovery of STH eggs. FF of SpGr 1.30 recovered 62.7%, 11% and 8.7% more Trichuris spp., Necator americanus and Ascaris spp. eggs respectively, than the recommended SpGr of 1.20. All diagnostic methods demonstrated strong direct correlation to the intensity of seeded EPG. KK and FF (SpGr 1.30) resulted in significant lower ERRs compared to qPCR (p <0.05). qPCR demonstrated significantly (p <0.05) greater sensitivity with an ability to detect as little as 5 EPG for all three STH, compared to 50 EPG by KK and FF (SpGr 1.30). Conclusions/Significance This study compares the diagnostic parameters in terms of LOD and ERRs of STHs for the KK, FF and qPCR. These results indicate that the diagnostic performance of qPCR assays should be considered by control programs in the phase that aims to seek confirmation of transmission break and cessation of preventive chemotherapy in low-transmission settings, in line with the control targets of the WHO neglected tropical diseases 2030 Roadmap. STH infections predominately affect resource-poor communities and negatively impact on child and maternal health. Diagnostics play a critical role in guiding and informing existing STH control programs and the implementation and evaluation of intervention strategies. The KK technique is most commonly used as per WHO guidelines and is the basis for determining quantitative thresholds for low, moderate and heavy infections. More recently, FF and laboratory-based quantitative PCR techniques have provided alternative options of diagnosing STH infections. A number of studies correlating the relative sensitivity, diagnostic agreement, and egg enumeration of these techniques by comparing field-generated diagnostic data have attempted to correlate quantitative outputs to those defined by the WHO, with little resolution. Moreover, as large-scale deworming programs levels scale up, the necessity to apply techniques that can precisely detect light infections is of outmost importance to establish preventive chemotherapy end-points using more accurate means. In this study we compared the LOD and ERR of seeded non-infected human faecal samples with Ascaris, Trichuris and Necator spp. eggs using KK, FF and qPCR. When compared to copro-microscopy methods, qPCR showed the highest sensitivity for the detection of light-intensity infections and was more accurate in enumerating the original number of eggs per gram of seeded faeces. In addition to this, the results indicated that the diagnostic performance of both KK and FF (using solution at a SpGr of 1.30) were equally efficient and should be considered with their diagnostic limitations in mind, when aiming to monitor STH infections in low-transmission settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patsy A. Zendejas-Heredia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Vito Colella
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sze Fui Hii
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Quantitative PCR in soil-transmitted helminth epidemiology and control programs: Toward a universal standard. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009134. [PMID: 33661910 PMCID: PMC7932098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
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10
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Massetti L, Colella V, Zendejas PA, Ng-Nguyen D, Harriott L, Marwedel L, Wiethoelter A, Traub RJ. High-throughput multiplex qPCRs for the surveillance of zoonotic species of canine hookworms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008392. [PMID: 32542036 PMCID: PMC7316352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The canine hookworms Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are not only capable of producing morbidity and mortality in dogs but are also neglected tropical zoonoses. Each hookworm species differs considerably in its geographical distribution, life cycle, biology, pathogenic impacts on both canine and human hosts, zoonotic potential, and response to treatment with anthelminthics. Here we describe the development and validation of two Taq-Man based multiplex PCR assays capable of detecting and differentiating all four canine hookworm species in faeces of naturally infected dogs. The analytical sensitivity of both assays was assessed using 10-fold serial dilutions of synthetic gene block fragments containing individual sequence targets of each hookworm species. The sensitivity of the assays and ability to detect mixed species infections were compared to a conventional PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism based-approach when applied to laboratory and field samples from endemic areas. The qPCRs detected at least one species of hookworms in 82.4% of PCR-RFLP-negative but microscopy-positive samples. The qPCRs detected an additional 68% mixed infections with different species of canine hookworms, and additional single species infection with A. caninum (47%), U. stenocephala (33%) and A. ceylanicum (0.02%) that were missed by PCR-RFLP. These multiplex qPCR assays will assist field based epidemiological surveillance studies towards an accurate and sensitive monitoring of canine hookworm infections in dogs, to inform their species-specific zoonotic risks to populations living in endemic areas, globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Massetti
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Vito Colella
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Patsy A Zendejas
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Dinh Ng-Nguyen
- Faculty of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Tay Nguyen University, Dak Lak, Vietnam
| | - Lana Harriott
- Pest Animal Research Centre, Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
| | - Lara Marwedel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anke Wiethoelter
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Role of DNA-detection-based tools for monitoring the soil-transmitted helminth treatment response in drug-efficacy trials. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007931. [PMID: 32027646 PMCID: PMC7004296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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12
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Ayana M, Cools P, Mekonnen Z, Biruksew A, Dana D, Rashwan N, Prichard R, Vlaminck J, Verweij JJ, Levecke B. Comparison of four DNA extraction and three preservation protocols for the molecular detection and quantification of soil-transmitted helminths in stool. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007778. [PMID: 31658264 PMCID: PMC6837582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A DNA extraction and preservation protocol that yields sufficient and qualitative DNA is pivotal for the success of any nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), but it still poses a challenge for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), including Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and the two hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). In the present study, we assessed the impact of different DNA extraction and preservativation protocols on STH-specific DNA amplification from stool. Methodology and principal findings In a first experiment, DNA was extracted from 37 stool samples with variable egg counts for T. trichiura and N. americanus applying two commercial kits, both with and without a prior bead beating step. The DNA concentration of T. trichiura and N. americanus was estimated by means of qPCR. The results showed clear differences in DNA concentration across both DNA extraction kits, which varied across both STHs. They also indicated that adding a bead beating step substantially improved DNA recovery, particularly when the FECs were high. In a second experiment, 20 stool samples with variable egg counts for A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and N. americanus were preserved in either 96% ethanol, 5% potassium dichromate or RNAlater and were stored at 4°C for 65, 245 and 425 days. DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit with a bead beating step. Stool samples preserved in ethanol proved to yield higher DNA concentrations as FEC increased, although stool samples appeared to be stable over time in all preservatives. Conclusions The choice of DNA extraction kit significantly affects the outcome of NAATs. Given the clear benefit of bead beating and our validation of ethanol for (long-term) preservation, we recommend that these aspects of the protocol should be adopted by any stool sampling and DNA extraction protocol for downstream NAAT-based detection and quantification of STHs. DNA-based tools are increasingly being used for the diagnosis of intestinal worm infections in both clinical and research laboratories. However, recovering DNA from intestinal worm eggs in stool remains a challenge since this DNA is protected by a very rigid egg shell. Furthermore, stool contains inhibitors that can affect test results and these should be removed during DNA extraction. Prior to DNA extraction, samples are often preserved, but the impact of the type of preservatives and the duration of preservation remains poorly studied. In the present study, we assessed the impact of four DNA extraction and three preservation protocols on the downstream performance of a DNA-based diagnostic tool for intestinal worms. We found significant differences in DNA recovery across the DNA and preservation protocols, but DNA from worm eggs in stool proved to be stable over time in all preservatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mio Ayana
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Abdissa Biruksew
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Dana
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nour Rashwan
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roger Prichard
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Vlaminck J, Cools P, Albonico M, Ame S, Ayana M, Cringoli G, Dana D, Keiser J, Maurelli MP, Matoso LF, Montresor A, Mekonnen Z, Mirams G, Corrêa-Oliveira R, Pinto SA, Rinaldi L, Sayasone S, Thomas E, Vercruysse J, Verweij JJ, Levecke B. Therapeutic efficacy of albendazole against soil-transmitted helminthiasis in children measured by five diagnostic methods. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007471. [PMID: 31369562 PMCID: PMC6675043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Preventive chemotherapy (PC) with benzimidazole drugs is the backbone of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control programs. Over the past decade, drug coverage has increased and with it, the possibility of developing anthelmintic resistance. It is therefore of utmost importance to monitor drug efficacy. Currently, a variety of novel diagnostic methods are available, but it remains unclear whether they can be used to monitor drug efficacy. In this study, we compared the efficacy of albendazole (ALB) measured by different diagnostic methods in a head-to-head comparison to the recommended single Kato-Katz. Methods An ALB efficacy trial was performed in 3 different STH-endemic countries (Ethiopia, Lao PDR and Tanzania), each with a different PC-history. During these trials, stool samples were evaluated with Kato-Katz (single and duplicate), Mini-FLOTAC, FECPAKG2, and qPCR. The reduction rate in mean eggs per gram of stool (ERR) and mean genome equivalents / ml of DNA extract (GERR) were calculated to estimate drug efficacy. Principal findings and conclusions The results of the efficacy trials showed that none of the evaluated diagnostic methods could provide reduction rates that were equivalent to a single Kato-Katz for all STH. However, despite differences in clinical sensitivity and egg counts, they agreed in classifying efficacy according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This demonstrates that diagnostic methods for assessing drug efficacy should be validated with their intended-use in mind and that other factors like user-friendliness and costs will likely be important factors in driving the choice of diagnostics. In addition, ALB efficacy against STH infections was lower in sites with a longer history of PC. Yet, further research is needed to identify factors that contribute to this finding and to verify whether reduced efficacy can be associated with mutations in the β-tubulin gene that have previously been linked to anthelmintic resistance. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03465488. During the last decade, the scale of deworming programs that aim to eliminate the morbidity caused by intestinal worms has increased to a level that is unprecedented in history. It is therefore of utmost importance to monitor any change in therapeutic efficacy that may arise from emerging drug resistance. Currently, a variety of novel methods have been described, but it remains unclear whether they can be used for monitoring drug efficacy. We applied different diagnostic methods to measure the efficacy of a commonly administered drug in deworming programs in 3 countries with different historical exposure to deworming programs. Compared to the standard diagnostic method, all diagnostic methods revealed good agreement in classifying the therapeutic efficacy according to World Health Organization guidelines, despite clear differences in diagnostic performance. We also noticed that the drug efficacy was lower in countries where drug pressure has been high. However, more research is necessary to identify factors that explain this variation in drug efficacy, including but not limited to the frequency in mutations in genes that are known to be linked with anthelmintic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Vlaminck
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marco Albonico
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Shaali Ame
- Laboratory Division, Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Mio Ayana
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel Dana
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria P. Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Leonardo F. Matoso
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Nursing school, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Rodrigo Corrêa-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Simone A. Pinto
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | | | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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