1
|
Kukkaro P, Vedithi SC, Blok DJ, van Brakel WH, Geluk A, Srikantam A, Scollard D, Adams LB, Duck M, Anand S, Tucker A, Cruz I, Pemmaraju VRR, Dagne DA, Asiedu K, Hanna C. Target product profiles: leprosy diagnostics. Bull World Health Organ 2024; 102:288-295. [PMID: 38562197 PMCID: PMC10976862 DOI: 10.2471/blt.23.290881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to reduce new leprosy cases by 70% by 2030, necessitating advancements in leprosy diagnostics. Here we discuss the development of two WHO's target product profiles for such diagnostics. These profiles define criteria for product use, design, performance, configuration and distribution, with a focus on accessibility and affordability. The first target product profile outlines requirements for tests to confirm diagnosis of leprosy in individuals with clinical signs and symptoms, to guide multidrug treatment initiation. The second target product profile outlines requirements for tests to detect Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis infection among asymptomatic contacts of leprosy patients, aiding prophylactic interventions and prevention. Statistical modelling was used to assess sensitivity and specificity requirements for these diagnostic tests. The paper highlights challenges in achieving high specificity, given the varying endemicity of M. leprae, and identifying target analytes with robust performance across leprosy phenotypes. We conclude that diagnostics with appropriate product design and performance characteristics are crucial for early detection and preventive intervention, advocating for the transition from leprosy management to prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David J Blok
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands
| | | | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Kingdom of the Netherlands
| | - Aparna Srikantam
- Clinical and Laboratory Research Division, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre-LEPRA Society, Hyderabad, India
| | - David Scollard
- National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, United States of America (USA)
| | - Linda B Adams
- National Hansen’s Disease Program, Baton Rouge, United States of America (USA)
| | - Mathias Duck
- The Leprosy Mission International, Brentford, England
| | | | - Andie Tucker
- The Task Force for Global Health, Inc, Decatur, USA
| | - Israel Cruz
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - VRR Pemmaraju
- Global Leprosy Programme, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | - Daniel Argaw Dagne
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kingsley Asiedu
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lopes-Luz L, Saavedra DP, Fogaça MBT, Bührer-Sékula S, Stefani MMDA. Challenges and advances in serological and molecular tests to aid leprosy diagnosis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:2083-2094. [PMID: 38059475 PMCID: PMC10800132 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231209422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is a neglected chronic infectious disease caused by obligate intracellular bacilli, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Despite multidrug therapy (MDT) success, leprosy accounts for more than 200,000 new cases yearly. Leprosy diagnosis remains based on the dermato-neurologic examination, but histopathology of skin biopsy and bacilloscopy of intradermal scraping are subsidiary diagnostic tests that require expertise and laboratory infrastructure. This minireview summarizes the state of the art of serologic tests to aid leprosy diagnosis, highlighting enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and point-of-care tests (POCT) biotechnologies. Also, the impact of the postgenomic era on the description of new recombinantly expressed M. leprae-specific protein antigens, such as leprosy Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) diagnostic (LID)-1 is summarized. Highly specific and sensitive molecular techniques to detect M. leprae DNA as the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) are briefly reviewed. Serology studies using phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) semi-synthetic antigens, LID-1 fusion antigen, and the single fusion complex natural disaccharide-octyl (NDO)-LID show high sensitivity in multibacillary (MB) patients. However, serology is not applicable to paucibacillary patients, as they have weak humoral response and robust cell-mediated response, requiring tests for cellular biomarkers. Unlike ELISA-based tests, leprosy-specific POCT based on semi-synthetic PGL-I antigens and NDO-LID 1 antigen is easy to perform, cheaper, equipment-free, and can contribute to early diagnosis avoiding permanent incapacities and helping to interrupt M. leprae transmission. Besides its use to help diagnosis of household contacts or at-risk populations in endemic areas, potential applications of leprosy serology include monitoring MDT efficacy, identification of recent infection, especially in young children, as surrogate markers of disease progression to orient adult chemoprophylaxis and as a predictor of type 2 leprosy reactions. Advances in molecular biology techniques have reduced the complexity and execution time of qPCR confirming its utility to help diagnosis while leprosy-specific LAMP holds promise as an adjunct test to detect M. leprae DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lopes-Luz
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Djairo Pastor Saavedra
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Matheus Bernardes Torres Fogaça
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Samira Bührer-Sékula
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| | - Mariane Martins de Araújo Stefani
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Produção de Testes Rápidos, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74605-050, Brasil
- Innovation Hub in Point of Care Technologies, UFG-Merck S/A. Alliance, Goiânia 74690-900, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pierneef L, Malaviya P, van Hooij A, Sundar S, Singh AK, Kumar R, de Jong D, Meuldijk M, Kumar A, Zhou Z, Cloots K, Corstjens P, Hasker E, Geluk A. Field-friendly anti-PGL-I serosurvey in children to monitor Mycobacterium leprae transmission in Bihar, India. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1260375. [PMID: 37828950 PMCID: PMC10565223 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1260375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It has been amply described that levels of IgM antibodies against Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) correlate strongly with the bacterial load in an infected individual. These findings have generated the concept of using seropositivity for antibodies against M. leprae PGL-I as an indicator of the proportion of the population that has been infected. Although anti-PGL-I IgM levels provide information on whether an individual has ever been infected, their presence cannot discriminate between recent and past infections. Since infection in (young) children by definition indicates recent transmission, we piloted the feasibility of assessment of anti-PGL-I IgM seroprevalence among children in a leprosy endemic area in India as a proxy for recent M. leprae transmission. Material and methods A serosurvey for anti-PGL-I IgM antibodies among children in highly leprosy endemic villages in Bihar, India, was performed, applying the quantitative anti-PGL-I UCP-LFA cassette combined with low-invasive, small-volume fingerstick blood (FSB). Results Local staff obtained FSB of 1,857 children (age 3-11 years) living in 12 leprosy endemic villages in Bihar; of these, 215 children (11.58%) were seropositive for anti-PGL-I IgM. Conclusion The anti-PGL-I seroprevalence level of 11.58% among children corresponds with the seroprevalence levels described in studies in other leprosy endemic areas over the past decades where no prophylactic interventions have taken place. The anti-PGL-I UCP-LFA was found to be a low-complexity tool that could be practically combined with serosurveys and was well-accepted by both healthcare staff and the population. On route to leprosy elimination, quantitative anti-PGL-I serology in young children holds promise as a strategy to monitor recent M. leprae transmission in an area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Pierneef
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Paritosh Malaviya
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Anouk van Hooij
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Danielle de Jong
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maaike Meuldijk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Awnish Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Zijie Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kristien Cloots
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Epco Hasker
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lima FR, Simões MMR, da Costa Manso GM, Toro DM, Antunes VMG, Felisbino GC, Dias GF, Riley LW, Arruda S, de Paula NA, Lugão HB, Perecin FAMC, Foss NT, Frade MAC. Serological testing for Hansen’s disease diagnosis: Clinical significance and performance of IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies against Mce1A protein. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1048759. [PMID: 37007773 PMCID: PMC10062478 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1048759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hansen’s disease (HD) is an infectious, treatable, and chronic disease. It is the main cause of infectious peripheral neuropathy. Due to the current limitations of laboratory tests for the diagnosis of HD, early identification of infected contacts is an important factor that would allow us to control the magnitude of this disease in terms of world public health. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the Brazilian southeast with the objective of evaluating humoral immunity and describing the accuracy of the immunoassay based on IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies against surface protein Mce1A of Mycobacterium, the predictive potential of these molecules, the clinical significance of positivity, and the ability to segregate new HD cases (NC; n = 200), contacts (HHC; n = 105), and healthy endemic controls (HEC; n = 100) as compared to α-PGL-I serology. α-Mce1A levels for all tested antibodies were significantly higher in NC and HHC than in HEC (p < 0.0001). The performance of the assay using IgA and IgM antibodies was rated as highly accurate (AUC > 0.85) for screening HD patients. Among HD patients (NC), positivity was 77.5% for IgA α-Mce1A ELISA, 76.5% for IgM, and 61.5% for IgG, while α-PGL-I serology showed only 28.0% positivity. Multivariate PLS-DA showed two defined clusters for the HEC and NC groups [accuracy = 0.95 (SD = 0.008)] and the HEC and HHC groups [accuracy = 0.93 (SD = 0.011)]. IgA was the antibody most responsible for clustering HHC as compared to NC and HEC, evidencing its usefulness for host mucosal immunity and as an immunological marker in laboratory tests. IgM is the key antibody for the clustering of NC patients. Positive results with high antibody levels indicate priority for screening, new clinical and laboratory evaluations, and monitoring of contacts, mainly with antibody indexes ≥2.0. In light of recent developments, the incorporation of new diagnostic technologies permits to eliminate the main gaps in the laboratory diagnosis of HD, with the implementation of tools of greater sensitivity and accuracy while maintaining satisfactory specificity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Rocha Lima
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mateus Mendonça Ramos Simões
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Martins da Costa Manso
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Mota Toro
- Department of Clinical, Toxicological and, Bromatological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderson Mayron Granemann Antunes
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovani Cesar Felisbino
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Ferreira Dias
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lee W. Riley
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Sérgio Arruda
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Natália Aparecida de Paula
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helena Barbosa Lugão
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda André Martins Cruz Perecin
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norma Tiraboschi Foss
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco Andrey Cipriani Frade
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, University Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Marco Andrey Cipriani Frade,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou Z, Pierneef L, van Hooij A, Geluk A. Detection of anti-M. leprae antibodies in healthy children in China: A systematic review of Chinese literature. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.963674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) that mainly involves the skin and peripheral nerves, causing lifelong deformities and social stigma. As evident from the practically stable number of new cases reported worldwide during the past decade, transmission is still ongoing. On route to leprosy elimination, an appropriate tool is needed to monitor M. leprae transmission. M. leprae-specific antibodies indicate infection with M. leprae, but do not differentiate between present and past infection. Nevertheless, detection of M. leprae infection in young children per definition indicates recent infection. Hence, seroprevalence in young children can be used to monitor recent M. leprae transmission. Despite having eliminated leprosy in most parts of the country, studies on transmission conducted in China are not sufficiently reported in the English literature. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of Chinese literature describing serological studies in healthy children in (former) leprosy endemic areas in China, available in the Chinese databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database. From the 710 articles identified in these three Chinese databases, only four full-text articles fulfilled all inclusion criteria regarding sufficiently detailed descriptions of anti-M. leprae antibodies in healthy children. Two additional papers were identified through snowballing, resulting in a total of six articles considered for this review reporting quantitative serological data from three Chinese provinces between 1987 and 2003. All studies used ELISAs to quantify antibody levels. Seroprevalence in healthy children ranged from 7.93% (Yunnan) to 32.35% (Jiangsu). If the same method was used (in Jiangsu), direct comparison of studies at different time points indicated that decrease in disease prevalence (0.28 to 0.16 per 100,000) or new case detection rate (2.6 to 1.0 per 100,000) from 1987-1991 corresponded to decrease in anti-M. leprae antibody seroprevalence (30.86% to 22.61%) in healthy children. Thus, these findings are consistent with the previous finding that anti-M. leprae antibody seroprevalence in young children represents a surrogate indicator to monitor transmission.
Collapse
|
6
|
Lima FR, de Paula NA, Simões MMR, Manso GMDC, Albertino GS, Felisbino GC, Antunes VMG, Perecin FAMC, Westin AT, Lugão HB, Frade MAC. Bacilloscopy and polymerase chain reaction of slit-skin smears and anti-phenolic glycolipid-I serology for Hansen’s disease diagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:972244. [PMID: 36035405 PMCID: PMC9399463 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.972244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacilloscopy of the slit-skin smear (SSS) is the exclusive laboratory test associated with dermato-neurological evaluation for Hansen’s disease (HD) diagnosis; however, it is negative in the majority of PB or primary neural forms. Thus, a PCR technique involving different sequences and target genes has been performed with an aim to increase the sensitivity and specificity of M. leprae identification, especially in patients with low bacillary loads. Additionally, serological assays based on antibody response reflect infection levels and indicate that this could be a simpler, less invasive technique for estimating M. leprae exposure. Serological tests and PCR have been shown to be more sensitive and accurate than the SSS. Our study aimed to measure accuracy and performance among the SSS and PCR of dermal scrapings stored on filter paper and APGL-I serology for diagnosis in HD. A cross-sectional study analyzing the medical records (n = 345) of an HD outpatient-dermatology clinic from 2014 to 2021 was conducted. Accuracy performance parameters, correlation, and concordance were used to assess the value among the SSS, PCR, and APGL-I exams in HD. The SSS presented 24.5% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 37.4% accuracy, and the lowest negative predictive value (21.5%). The PCR assay had 41, 100, and 51% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively. PCR and APGL-I serology increased the detection of HD cases by 16 and 20.6%, respectively. PCR was positive in 51.3% of patients when the SSS was negative. The SSS obtained moderate concordance with PCR [k-value: 0.43 (CI: 0.33–0.55)] and APGL-I [k-value: 0.41 (CI: 0.31–0.53)]. A moderate positive correlation was found between the APGL-I index and the bacillary index (r = 0.53; P < 0.0001). Thus, the use of the SSS is a low sensitivity and accuracy method due to its low performance in HD detection. The use of PCR and serological tests allows for a more sensitive and accurate diagnosis of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Rocha Lima
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natália Aparecida de Paula
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mateus Mendonça Ramos Simões
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Martins da Costa Manso
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Sartori Albertino
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovani Cesar Felisbino
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderson Mayron Granemann Antunes
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda André Martins Cruz Perecin
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrezza Telles Westin
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helena Barbosa Lugão
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco Andrey Cipriani Frade
- Healing and Hansen’s Disease Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Dermatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Referral Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Hansen’s Disease, Clinical Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Marco Andrey Cipriani Frade,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sharma M, Singh P. Advances in the Diagnosis of Leprosy. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.893653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is a public health issue, and early detection is critical to avert disability. Despite the global attempt to eradicate this disease as a public health problem, it remains an important cause of global neurological disability. India, Brazil and Indonesia share more than 70% of the cases. The reduction of new cases is a priority in the WHO global strategy 2021-2030 which aims to reduce disease transmission in the community by diagnosing cases and identifying subclinical infection. The clinical manifestations of leprosy range from a few to several lesions. The identification remains difficult due to the limited sensitivity of traditional approaches based on bacillary counts of skin smears and histology. To aid in the diagnosis of this disease, molecular biology, and biotechnological technologies have been applied, each with its own set of benefits and downsides despite providing an essential tool to validate the clinical diagnosis of leprosy. Because of this, it is strongly recognized that specific, inexpensive point of care technologies should be developed, particularly to identify asymptomatic M. leprae infections or leprosy nearer to the suspected cases seeking medical attention. Thus, this review will provide an overview of the advancements in leprosy diagnosis over the world. The purpose of this review is to improve our understanding of the outcomes of current tests and technologies used in leprosy diagnosis and to emphasize critical aspects concerning the detection of leprosy bacilli.
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhou Z, Pena M, van Hooij A, Pierneef L, de Jong D, Stevenson R, Walley R, Corstjens PLAM, Truman R, Adams L, Geluk A. Detection and Monitoring of Mycobacterium leprae Infection in Nine Banded Armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus) Using a Quantitative Rapid Test. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:763289. [PMID: 34777319 PMCID: PMC8581735 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.763289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae with tropism for skin and peripheral nerves. Incessant transmission in endemic areas is still impeding elimination of leprosy. Although detection of M. leprae infection remains a challenge in asymptomatic individuals, the presence of antibodies specific for phenolglycolipid-I (PGL-I) correlate with bacterial load. Therefore, serosurveillance utilizing field-friendly tests detecting anti-PGL-I antibodies, can be applied to identify those who may transmit bacteria and to study (reduction of) M. leprae transmission. However, serology based on antibody detection cannot discriminate between past and present M. leprae infection in humans, nor can it detect individuals carrying low bacillary loads. In humans, anti-PGL-I IgM levels are long-lasting and usually detected in more individuals than anti-PGL-I IgG levels. Inherent to the characteristically long incubation time of leprosy, IgM/IgG relations (antibody kinetics) in leprosy patients and infected individuals are not completely clear. To investigate the antibody response directly after infection, we have measured antibody levels by ELISA, in longitudinal samples of experimentally M. leprae infected, susceptible nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). In addition, we assessed the user- and field-friendly, low-cost lateral flow assay (LFA) utilizing upconverting reporter particles (UCP), developed for quantitative detection of human anti-PGL-I IgM (UCP-LFA), to detect treatment- or vaccination-induced changes in viable bacterial load. Our results show that serum levels of anti-PGL-I IgM, and to a lesser extent IgG, significantly increase soon after experimental M. leprae infection in armadillos. In view of leprosy phenotypes in armadillos, this animal model can provide useful insight into antibody kinetics in early infection in the various spectral forms of human leprosy. The UCP-LFA for quantitative detection of anti-PGL-I IgM allows monitoring the efficacy of vaccination and rifampin-treatment in the armadillo leprosy model, thereby providing a convenient tool to evaluate the effects of drugs and vaccines and new diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maria Pena
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Anouk van Hooij
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Louise Pierneef
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Danielle de Jong
- Department Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Roena Stevenson
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Rachel Walley
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Richard Truman
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Linda Adams
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen Disease Programme (NHDP), Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|