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Mesquita SG, Gadd G, Coelho FS, Cieplinski A, Emery A, Lugli EB, Simões TC, Fonseca CT, Caldeira RL, Webster B. Laboratory and field validation of the recombinase polymerase amplification assay targeting the Schistosoma mansoni mitochondrial minisatellite region (SmMIT-RPA) for snail xenomonitoring for schistosomiasis. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:247-256. [PMID: 38311021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Improvements in diagnostics for schistosomiasis in both humans and snail hosts are priorities to be able to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating the disease as a public health problem by 2030. In this context, molecular isothermal amplification tests, such as Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA), are promising for use in endemic areas at the point-of-need for their accuracy, robustness, simplicity, and time-effectiveness. The developed recombinase polymerase amplification assay targeting the Schistosoma mansoni mitochondrial minisatellite region (SmMIT-RPA) was used to detect S. mansoni DNA from both laboratory and field Biomphalaria snails. Laboratory snails were experimentally infected and used at one, seven, and 28 days post-exposure (dpe) to 10 S. mansoni miracidia to provide samples in the early pre-patent infection stage. Field samples of Biomphalaria spp. were collected from the Mucuri Valley and Jequitinhonha Valley regions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, which are endemic for S. mansoni. The sensitivity and specificity of the SmMIT-RPA assay were analysed and compared with existing loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), PCR-based methods, parasitological examination of the snails, and nucleotide sequencing. The SmMIT-RPA assay was able to detect S. mansoni DNA in the experimentally infected Biomphalaria glabrata as early as one dpe to 10 miracidia. It also detected S. mansoni infections (55.5% prevalence) in the field samples with the highest accuracy (100% sensitivity and specificity) compared with the other molecular tests used as the reference. Results from this study indicate that the SmMIT-RPA assay is a good alternative test to be used for snail xenomonitoring of S. mansoni due to its high sensitivity, accuracy, and the possibility of detecting early pre-patent infection. Its simplicity and portability also make it a suitable methodology in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gonçalves Mesquita
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
| | - Grace Gadd
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fernanda Sales Coelho
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Cieplinski
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan Emery
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Taynãna César Simões
- Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia e Imunologia Parasitária, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Bonnie Webster
- Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
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Mesquita SG, Lugli EB, Matera G, Fonseca CT, Caldeira RL, Webster B. Development of real-time and lateral flow recombinase polymerase amplification assays for rapid detection of Schistosoma mansoni. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1043596. [PMID: 36466644 PMCID: PMC9716991 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1043596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate diagnosis followed by timely treatment is an effective strategy for the prevention of complications together with reducing schistosomiasis transmission. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and specific isothermal method with low resource needs. This research aimed at the development and optimisation of a real-time (RT) and a lateral flow (LF) RPA assay for the detection of Schistosoma mansoni. Methodology Recombinase Polymerase Amplification reactions were performed at full- (as recommended) and half-volumes (to reduce costs), with RT or LF detection systems targeting the S. mansoni mitochondrial minisatellite region. The specificity was assessed using gDNA from other Schistosoma species, helminths co-endemic with S. mansoni, human stool, and urine, and Biomphalaria snail hosts. The analytical sensitivity was evaluated using serial dilutions of gDNA, synthetic copies of the target, and single eggs. The ability of both assays to detect the S. mansoni DNA in human urine and stool samples was also tested. The long-term stability of the RT-RPA reagents was evaluated by storing the reaction components in different temperature conditions for up to 3 weeks. Results The RT- and the LF-RPA (SmMIT- and SmMIT-LF-RPA, respectively) presented similar results when used full- and half-volumes, thus the latter was followed in all experiments. The SmMIT-RPA was 100% specific to S. mansoni, able to detect a single egg, with a limit of detection (LOD) of down to 1 fg of gDNA and one synthetic copy of the target. The assay was able to detect S. mansoni DNA from stool containing 1 egg/g and in spiked urine at a concentration of 10 fg/μl. SmMIT-RPA reagents were stable for up to 3 weeks when kept at 19°C, and 2 weeks when stored at 27°C. The SmMIT-LF-RPA cross-reacted with Clinostomidae, presented the LOD of 10 fg and one synthetic copy of the target, being able to detect a single egg and 1 egg/g in a stool sample. The LOD in spiked urine samples was 10 pg/μl. Conclusion The half-volume SmMIT-RPA is a promising method to be used in the field. It is specific, sensitive, robust, and tolerant to inhibitors, with a long-term stability of the reaction components and the real-time visualisation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gonçalves Mesquita
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil,Wolfson Wellcome Laboratories, Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Birgitta Lugli
- Wolfson Wellcome Laboratories, Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Microbiology, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Biologia e Imunologia Parasitária, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil,*Correspondence: Bonnie Webster, ; Roberta Lima Caldeira,
| | - Bonnie Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Laboratories, Department of Science, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Bonnie Webster, ; Roberta Lima Caldeira,
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Lin M, Li Z, Lin Q, Wang P, Liu W, Yuan J, Hong Z, Chen Y. Development and Clinical Application of a Rapid and Visual Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Test for tetM gene in Clostridioides difficile Strains Cultured from Feces. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 122:676-684. [PMID: 35843495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop a rapid and visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the tetM gene in Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) strains cultured from feces. METHODS Primers were designed to recognize the tetM gene in C. difficile by LAMP, using turbidity and visual detection. The sensitivity and specificity of LAMP primers was determined. Besides, We conducted both LAMP and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, cdtB, ermB, tetM genes in 300 toxigenic C. difficile strains cultured from feces. RESULTS The target DNA was amplified and visualized within 60 minutes at a temperature of 62°C. A total of 26 bacterial strains were found negative for tetM, which manifested high specificity of the primers. The detection limit of LAMP was 36.1 pg/µl, which was 100-fold more sensitive than PCR. The positive rate of tetM in toxigenic C. difficile strains cultured from feces was 93.3% by both LAMP and PCR. The proportion of toxin types in those C. difficile strains was 95.7% for A+B+CDT-, 4% for A-B+CDT-, and 0.3% for A+B+CDT+, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study examining tetM gene in C. difficile strains cultured from feces by LAMP. Its high specificity and sensitivity, as well as visual detection, make the new assay a powerful diagnostic tool for rapid testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyi Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 52 East Meihua Road, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Zitong Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Ave. Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianyun Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95, Yong An Road, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Pu Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Ave. Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 20 Dongda Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 20 Dongda Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Zhongsi Hong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 52 East Meihua Road, Zhuhai, 519000, China.
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrative Microecology Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1333 New Lake Road, Shenzhen, 518100, China.
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Ogongo P, Nyakundi RK, Chege GK, Ochola L. The Road to Elimination: Current State of Schistosomiasis Research and Progress Towards the End Game. Front Immunol 2022; 13:846108. [PMID: 35592327 PMCID: PMC9112563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.846108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The new WHO Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases targets the global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem. To date, control strategies have focused on effective diagnostics, mass drug administration, complementary and integrative public health interventions. Non-mammalian intermediate hosts and other vertebrates promote transmission of schistosomiasis and have been utilized as experimental model systems. Experimental animal models that recapitulate schistosomiasis immunology, disease progression, and pathology observed in humans are important in testing and validation of control interventions. We discuss the pivotal value of these models in contributing to elimination of schistosomiasis. Treatment of schistosomiasis relies heavily on mass drug administration of praziquantel whose efficacy is comprised due to re-infections and experimental systems have revealed the inability to kill juvenile schistosomes. In terms of diagnosis, nonhuman primate models have demonstrated the low sensitivity of the gold standard Kato Katz smear technique. Antibody assays are valuable tools for evaluating efficacy of candidate vaccines, and sera from graded infection experiments are useful for evaluating diagnostic sensitivity of different targets. Lastly, the presence of Schistosomes can compromise the efficacy of vaccines to other infectious diseases and its elimination will benefit control programs of the other diseases. As the focus moves towards schistosomiasis elimination, it will be critical to integrate treatment, diagnostics, novel research tools such as sequencing, improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and utilization of experimental models to assist with evaluating performance of new approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ogongo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ruth K Nyakundi
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald K Chege
- Primate Unit & Delft Animal Centre, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucy Ochola
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Environmental Health, School of Behavioural and Lifestyle Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
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The prophylactic and anti-fibrotic activity of phthalimido-thiazole derivatives in schistosomiasis mansoni. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2111-2120. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07533-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Tran L, Rathinasamy VA, Beddoe T. Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for detection of Austropeplea tomentosa from environmental water samples. ANIMAL DISEASES 2022; 2:29. [PMCID: PMC9743122 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-022-00061-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymnaeid snails are key intermediate hosts for the development and survival of Fasciola spp., the causative agent of Fascioliasis which are economically important parasites infecting humans and livestock globally. The current control method for treating Fascioliasis is heavily reliant on anthelmintic drugs, particularly Triclabendazole (TCBZ) which has resulted in drug-resistant parasites and poses significant risk as there are no long-term efficacious alternatives available. Sustainable control measures at the farm level could include both parasite and snail control will play an important role in Fasciola spp. control and reduce the reliance on anthelmintic drugs. Implementation of such sustainable control measures requires effective identification of snails on the property however Lymnaeid snails are small and difficult to physically locate. Snail identification using an environmental DNA approach is a recent approach in which physically locating snails are not required. Austropeplea tomentosa, is the primary intermediate snail host for F. hepatica transmission in South-East Australia and we present an in-field loop-mediated isothermal amplification and water filtering method for the detection of A. tomentosa eDNA from water samples to improve current surveillance methods. This methodology is highly sensitive with a detection limit of 5 × 10− 6 ng/μL, detected in < 20 minutes, with cumulative sample preparation and amplification time under 1 hour. This proposed workflow could assist in monitoring areas to determine the risk of Fascioliasis infection and implement strategies to manage snail populations to ultimately reduce the risk of infection for humans and livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Tran
- grid.1018.80000 0001 2342 0938Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
| | - Vignesh A. Rathinasamy
- grid.1011.10000 0004 0474 1797Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and Queensland Tropical Health Alliance, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870 Australia
| | - Travis Beddoe
- grid.1018.80000 0001 2342 0938Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083 Australia
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