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Zulu G, Stelzle D, Mwape KE, Welte TM, Strømme H, Mubanga C, Mutale W, Abraham A, Hachangu A, Schmidt V, Sikasunge CS, Phiri IK, Winkler AS. The epidemiology of human Taenia solium infections: A systematic review of the distribution in Eastern and Southern Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011042. [PMID: 37000841 PMCID: PMC10096517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Taenia solium is a tapeworm that causes taeniosis in humans and cysticercosis in humans and pigs. Within Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), information on the presence of human taeniosis and cysticercosis seems scarce. This systematic review aimed to describe the current information available and gaps in the epidemiology of human T. solium infections in ESA.
Methods/Principle findings
Scientific literature published between 1st January 2000 and 20th June 2022 in international databases [MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Global Health (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), African Index Medicus (via WHO Global Index Medicus), and Open Grey] was systematically reviewed for ESA. The study area included 27 countries that make up the ESA region. Information on either taeniosis, cysticercosis or NCC was available for 16 of 27 countries within the region and a total of 113 reports were retained for the review. Most case reports for cysticercosis and NCC were from South Africa, while Tanzania had the most aggregated cysticercosis reports. Eleven countries reported on NCC with seven countries reporting data on NCC and epilepsy. Unconfirmed human T. solium taeniosis cases were reported in nine countries while two countries (Madagascar and Zambia) reported confirmed T. solium cases. The cysticercosis seroprevalence ranged between 0.7–40.8% on antigen (Ag) ELISA and between 13.1–45.3% on antibody (Ab) ELISA. Based on immunoblot tests the Ab seroprevalence was between 1.7–39.3%, while the proportion of NCC-suggestive lesions on brain CT scans was between 1.0–76% depending on the study population. The human taeniosis prevalence based on microscopy ranged between 0.1–14.7%. Based on Copro Ag-ELISA studies conducted in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the highest prevalence of 19.7% was reported in Kenya.
Conclusions
Despite the public health and economic impact of T. solium in ESA, there are still large gaps in knowledge about the occurrence of the parasite, and the resulting One Health disease complex, and monitoring of T. solium taeniosis and cysticercosis is mostly not in place.
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Van Damme I, Pray I, Mwape KE, Trevisan C, Coudenys F, Mubanga C, Mwelwa C, Vaernewyck V, Dorny P, O'Neal SE, Gabriël S. Movements of free-range pigs in rural communities in Zambia: an explorative study towards future ring interventions for the control of Taenia solium. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:150. [PMID: 35477431 PMCID: PMC9044682 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05264-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Taenia solium typically affects resource-poor communities where pigs are allowed to roam freely, and sanitation and hygiene levels are suboptimal. Sustainable, long-term strategies are urgently needed to control the disease. Geographically targeted interventions, i.e. screening or treatment of taeniosis among people living near infected pigs (defined as ring screening and ring treatment, respectively), have been shown to be effective control options in Peru. However, these results might not be directly generalizable to sub-Saharan African settings. Pig movements play a vital role in the transmission and, consequently, the success of ring interventions against T. solium. The aim of the present study was to explore roaming patterns of pigs in T. solium endemic communities in Zambia as a first step toward evaluating whether ring interventions should be considered as a treatment option in Zambia. Methods In total, 48 free-roaming pigs in two rural neighborhoods in the Eastern Province of Zambia were tracked using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Tracking took place in April (end of the rainy season) 2019 and October (end of the dry season) 2019. The number of revisitations and the time spent within rings of different radii (50, 100 and 250 m) around the coordinates of each pig owner’s household were calculated for each pig. Results The total tracking time for 43 pigs in the final analysis set ranged between 43 and 94 h. Pigs spent a median of 31% and 13% of the tracked time outside the 50- and 100-m radius, respectively, although large variations were observed between pigs. Overall, 25 pigs (58%) went outside the 250-m ring at least once, and individual excursions lasting up to 16 h were observed. In the dry season, 17 out of 23 pigs went outside the 250-m radius compared to only eight out of 20 pigs in the rainy season (P = 0.014). Conclusions In our study sites in Zambia, the majority of pigs spent most of their time within 50 or 100 m of their owner’s home, and these results are comparable with those on Peruvian pigs. Both radii could therefore be considered reasonable options in future ring interventions. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05264-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Van Damme
- Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ian Pray
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, USA
| | - Kabemba E Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fien Coudenys
- Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chembesofu Mwelwa
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Victor Vaernewyck
- Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Seth E O'Neal
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, USA.,Center for Global Health-Tumbes, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Mubanga C, Trevisan C, Van Damme I, Schmidt V, Phiri IK, Zulu G, Noh J, Handali S, Mambo R, Chembensofu M, Masuku M, Reynders D, Jansen F, Bottieau E, Magnussen P, Winkler AS, Dorny P, Mwape KE, Gabriel S. Challenges Encountered When Evaluating an Antibody-Detecting Point-of-Care Test for Taeniosis in an Endemic Community in Zambia: A Prospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11112039. [PMID: 34829386 PMCID: PMC8625551 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium taeniosis diagnosis is challenging because current tests perform sub-optimally and/or are expensive, require sophisticated equipment, infrastructure and trained manpower, and therefore are not community deployable. A recently-developed, multi-strip, T. solium point-of-care test (TS POC) for simultaneous detection of tapeworm (TS POC T) and cysticercus (TS POC CC) human antibodies was evaluated for diagnostic accuracy on consecutively recruited community participants in Sinda district, Zambia. All participants were tested using the TS POC test. All test-positives and 20% of the test-negative participants were invited to give a blood and stool sample for reference testing. Three different reference tests were used for taeniosis diagnosis: recombinant rES33 enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (rES33 EITB), copro PCR and copro Ag ELISA. Bayesian analysis with probabilistic constraints was used to estimate sensitivity and specificity. In total, 1254 participants were tested with the TS POC test, of whom 13 tested positive using the TS POC T. Based on 161 participants with complete data, the estimated sensitivity and specificity for the TS POC T test were 38% (95% CI: 5–93%) and 99% (95% CI: 98–100%), respectively. The challenge of highly variable inter-assay performance is highlighted. We recommend either increasing the sensitivity or redesigning the test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (I.V.D.)
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (I.V.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (F.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Inge Van Damme
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (I.V.D.)
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Isaac K. Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
| | - Gideon Zulu
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
- Eastern Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Health, Chipata 510023, Zambia
| | - John Noh
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (J.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Sukwan Handali
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (J.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Richard Mambo
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
- Eastern Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Health, Chipata 510023, Zambia
| | - Mwelwa Chembensofu
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
| | - Maxwell Masuku
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
| | - Dries Reynders
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Famke Jansen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (F.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (F.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Kabemba E. Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia or (C.M.); (I.K.P.); (G.Z.); (R.M.); (M.C.); (M.M.); (K.E.M.)
| | - Sarah Gabriel
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (I.V.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Mubanga C, Mwape KE, Phiri IK, Trevisan C, Kabululu M, Zulu G, Van Damme I, Schmidt V, Dorny P, Gabriël S. Operational characteristics of an antibody detecting point of care test for Taenia solium infections in a community and hospital setting. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:607. [PMID: 34172004 PMCID: PMC8235832 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06320-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diagnostic test evaluation includes measures of performance and assessment of operational characteristics. The latter focuses on end-user understanding of instructions to perform the test, ease of use, test turnaround time and ease of result interpretation. This study aimed to assess user comprehension of training for and ease of use of a Taenia solium point of care test (TS POC) evaluated in a community and hospital setting in Zambia and Tanzania, respectively. Methods The TS POC is a three-step in-house-produced rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for the simultaneous detection of taeniosis (TST) and cysticercosis (TSCC) antibodies. Data collected by administering questionnaires to 29 end-users and from the main evaluation database was analyzed quantitatively. Results End-users (28/29, 97%) perceived that the training they received for performing the test was sufficient. They performed 4080 tests, of which 80 were invalid. The community-based study and TST tests had higher invalid rates. The overall result interpretation was within the acceptable range of RDTs with an overall disagreement between readers of 3.3%. The Kappa coefficient of agreement was 85 and 82% for TSCC and TST, respectively. There was more disagreement among readers in the community-based study. Conclusion End-users rated the TS POC kit moderate in terms of ease of use citing long test turnaround time and difficulties in using the blood transfer device. Overall, the operational performance of the TS POC kit and end-users was within the established acceptable performance range. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06320-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. .,Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Kabemba E Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Isaac K Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mwemezi Kabululu
- Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) - Uyole, P. O. Box 6191, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Gideon Zulu
- Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Health, Chipata, Zambia
| | - Inge Van Damme
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Centre for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Virology, Parasitology, and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Van Damme I, Trevisan C, Mwape KE, Schmidt V, Magnussen P, Zulu G, Mubanga C, Stelzle D, Bottieau E, Abatih E, Phiri IK, Johansen MV, Chabala C, Winkler AS, Dorny P, Gabriël S. Trial Design for a Diagnostic Accuracy Study of a Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Taenia solium Taeniosis and (Neuro)Cysticercosis in Community Settings of Highly Endemic, Resource-Poor Areas in Zambia: Challenges and Rationale. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11071138. [PMID: 34206654 PMCID: PMC8306489 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Field-applicable, high-quality, and low-cost diagnostic tools are urgently needed for Taenia solium. The aim of this paper is to describe the design, challenges, and rationale for the design of a diagnostic accuracy study in low-resource community settings in Zambia. The trial was designed as a prospective study with a two-stage design to evaluate a new point-of-care test (TS POC) for the detection of taeniosis and (neuro)cysticercosis. Participants within randomly selected households were tested with the TS POC test (index test). Participants who tested TS POC positive for taeniosis and/or cysticercosis and a subset of the negatives were requested to give blood and stool samples for reference testing, and to undergo clinical examination and a cerebral CT scan. The difficulties of conducting a clinical trial in settings with limited research and neuroimaging infrastructure as well as peculiarities specifically related to the disease (low prevalence of taeniosis and the lack of a gold standard) were taken into consideration for the design of this study. The two-stage design increased the efficiency of the study by reducing the number of samples, clinical examinations, and CT scans. Simplified flows and sampling processes were preferred over complex follow-up and randomization systems, aiming to reduce bias and increase the generalizability of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Van Damme
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence: (I.V.D.); (S.G.)
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (C.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Kabemba E. Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (K.E.M.); (G.Z.); (I.K.P.)
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (D.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Gideon Zulu
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (K.E.M.); (G.Z.); (I.K.P.)
- Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (C.M.)
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (K.E.M.); (G.Z.); (I.K.P.)
| | - Dominik Stelzle
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (D.S.); (A.S.W.)
| | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Emmanuel Abatih
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Isaac K. Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (K.E.M.); (G.Z.); (I.K.P.)
| | | | - Chishala Chabala
- Paediatrics and Child Health, Children’s Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.S.); (D.S.); (A.S.W.)
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (C.T.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence: (I.V.D.); (S.G.)
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Vaernewyck V, Mwape KE, Mubanga C, Devleesschauwer B, Gabriël S, Trevisan C. Effects of 'The Vicious Worm' educational software on Taenia solium knowledge among key pork supply chain workers in Zambia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008790. [PMID: 33075045 PMCID: PMC7595624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The neglected zoonotic cestode Taenia solium is endemic in many low- and middle-income countries, including Zambia. The parasite infects humans and pigs, inflicting high socioeconomic and disease burdens in endemic areas. Health education is regarded as an important component in T. solium control and previous studies indicate that ‘The Vicious Worm’ may be an effective T. solium health education tool for Tanzanian medical and agricultural professionals and Zambian primary school students. This study aimed to assess the effects of health education using ‘The Vicious Worm’ among Zambian pork supply chain workers, because the pork supply chain greatly influences food safety and security in Zambia. Half-day educational workshops using ‘The Vicious Worm’ and subsequent follow-up sessions were organized in the Lusaka and Katete districts of Zambia in March and April 2019. Questionnaires were administered before, after, and three weeks after the use of ‘The Vicious Worm’ to assess the program’s impact on knowledge uptake and short-term retention. Focus group discussions were conducted to assess the program’s user experience and the participants’ beliefs, attitudes, and insights. In total, 47 pork supply chain workers participated: 25 from Lusaka and 22 from Katete. Overall, knowledge about T. solium was significantly higher (p<0.001) both immediately after, and three weeks after the use of ‘The Vicious Worm’ compared to baseline knowledge. Focus group discussions indicated incipient attitudinal and behavioral change, as well as a positive reception of the software; with participants describing the software as simple, educative, and useful to share knowledge. The study results indicate that workshops using ‘The Vicious Worm’ may be effective for short-term T. solium health education among key pork supply chain workers. Follow-up studies are required to assess long-term effects, transfer of knowledge and behavioral change. However, educational interventions with ‘The Vicious Worm’ could be considered for integrated T. solium control programs in sub-Saharan Africa, especially if the educational content is further simplified and clarified. The tapeworm Taenia solium causes epilepsy and severe headaches in humans and economic losses to smallholder farmers in endemic areas where free-roaming pigs, poor sanitation and informal animal slaughter are prevalent. Treatment of human taeniosis and interventions in pigs (vaccination and anthelmintic treatment) have been established as essential tools to achieve short-term control, but health education will be crucial to sustain long-term control. ‘The Vicious Worm’ is a specific T. solium health education tool aiming to convey simple and meaningful messages concerning disease prevention and control. Previous studies found significant knowledge increases after the use of the educational tool in Tanzanian medical and agricultural professionals, and Zambian primary school students. We organized half-day educational workshops using ‘The Vicious Worm’ for pork supply chain workers at two study sites in Zambia, with follow-up visits three weeks later. We found a significant increase in participants’ knowledge, both immediately and three weeks after the health education. Furthermore, the program was well received and potentially led to attitudinal and behavioral change that could deter the propagation of T. solium. We conclude that ‘The Vicious Worm’ educational interventions may contribute to a safer pork supply chain and we encourage its implementation in future T. solium control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Vaernewyck
- Department of Veterinary Public health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kabemba Evans Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Veterinary Public health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Veterinary Public health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Siwila J, Mwaba F, Chidumayo N, Mubanga C. Food and waterborne protozoan parasites: The African perspective. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2020; 20:e00088. [PMID: 32995582 PMCID: PMC7502820 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic food-borne diseases, particularly those caused by the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora cayetanensis and Entamoeba are increasingly becoming common and have received considerable attention in the last two decades. The ability of the transmission stages of the parasites to survive in the environment for prolonged periods, globalization of the food industry and changes in eating habits have contributed to the numbers of human infections. This systematic scoping review highlights these important water- and foodborne parasites in the African context, detailing the burden in African water sources, wastewater/effluents and fresh produce. A scoping review search targeting African countries was conducted in Medline, Web of science and African journals online as well as back referencing from included studies covering the period 1990 to January 2020. Out of 1134 studies, 68 were included in the review. The articles covered 17 out of 54 African countries. There were 39/68 studies reporting on water sources while the rest reported on fresh produce. Cryptosporidium prevalence ranged from 6 to 100% in surface water, 4 to 100% in tap water and up to 100% in wastewater and sludge. In fresh produce, Cryptosporidium was reported from five countries with prevalence of 0.8-75%. Giardia was reported in 47 out of 68 articles; prevalence ranged from 2.4% in surface water; 1% to over 70% in tap water; 28-100% in wastewater and 2% - 99% in fresh produce. Prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis was lower. Prevalence of Entamoeba was 78% in surface water; 100% in wastewater and up to 99% in fresh produce. This study finds that Africa is no exception to the risk presented by the subject parasites from water and/or food sources. Routine screening for these parasites particularly at household level and provision of adequate and safe drinking water would help to control the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Siwila
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Florence Mwaba
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nozyechi Chidumayo
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
- Ministry of Agriculture, P.O. Box 31658, Lusaka, Zambia
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Gabriël S, Mwape KE, Hobbs EC, Devleesschauwer B, Van Damme I, Zulu G, Mwelwa C, Mubanga C, Masuku M, Mambwe M, De Coster T, Phiri IK, Berkvens DL, Colston A, Bottieau E, Speybroeck N, Ketzis JK, Willingham AL, Trevisan C, Dorny P. Evidence for potential elimination of active Taenia solium transmission in Africa? N Engl J Med 2020; 383:396-397. [PMID: 32699455 PMCID: PMC7289521 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc1909955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma C Hobbs
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Angie Colston
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Jennifer K Ketzis
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts
| | - A Lee Willingham
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts
| | | | - Pierre Dorny
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Mubanga C, Mwape KE, Phiri IK, Trevisan C, Zulu G, Chabala C, van Damme I, Schmidt V, Dorny P, Gabriël S. Progress on the development of rapid diagnostic tests for foodborne neglected zoonotic helminthiases: A systematic review. Acta Trop 2019; 194:135-147. [PMID: 30946810 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foodborne Neglected Zoonotic Helminths (FNZH) are parasites of both economic and public health importance. They include Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, Echinococcus multilocularis and Foodborne trematodes (FBT). FNZH are earmarked for major interventions for control, elimination and eradication. This systematic review highlights the progress towards development of rapid tests for the diagnosis of FNZH since 2010 when they were listed as neglected tropical diseases. METHODOLOGY A systematic search was conducted in three databases, World of Science, Embase and PubMed using the same search phrase. The search produced 480 hits. Three studies from back referencing were included. Only 22 of these met the inclusion criteria. Data was extracted from these and presented qualitatively. RESULTS Twenty-five rapid diagnostic tests were found to have been developed since 2010, eight for diagnosis of T. solium infections, eight for echinococcosis and nine for FBT infections. The rapid tests for diagnosing T. solium infections included six antibody detecting and two antigen detecting tests. They constitute a combination among them, with some tests providing qualitative, others quantitative results. Similarly, seven out of the eight rapid tests developed for Echinococcus infections were antibody detecting tests save for one loop mediated isothermal amplification test. All of them were qualitative tests. For FBT infections, nine rapid tests were described; two antibody and one nucleic acid detecting test for diagnosis of Fascioliasis; three nucleic acid detecting tests for Opisthorchiasis; one antibody detecting test for Paragonimiasis; and for Clonorchiasis, one antibody and one nucleic acid detecting test. The FBT infection rapid tests were all qualitative in nature. Most of these tests have not undergone field evaluation in endemic areas where they will be used most. CONCLUSION This review describes the development and evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests, while highlighting the need for in depth validations of the tools to determine how well they can perform in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chishimba Mubanga
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Kabemba E Mwape
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Isaac K Phiri
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chiara Trevisan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gideon Zulu
- Provincial Medical Office, Ministry of Health, Kasama, Zambia
| | - Chishala Chabala
- Children's Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Inge van Damme
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Centre for Global Health, Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sarah Gabriël
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Mubanga C, Mwape K, Zulu G, Phiri I, Trevisan C, Dorny P, Gabriel S, Damme IV. OC 8432 EVALUATION OF AN ANTIBODY-DETECTING POINT-OF-CARE TEST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF TAENIA SOLIUM TAENIASIS AND NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS/CYSTICERCOSIS IN AN ENDEMIC AREA. BMJ Glob Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-edc.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundTaenia solium taeniasis/(neuro)cysticercosis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis with significant economic and public health impacts. Neurocysticercosis is responsible for 30% cases of acquired epilepsy in endemic areas. Diagnosis and case management of neurocysticercosis/taeniasis in resource-limited endemic countries is challenging. Reliable, inexpensive and easy to use diagnostic tools with sufficient sensitivity and specificity are currently not available. A new point-of-care (POC) test based on recombinant rT24H and rES33 proteins developed by the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta (US) which combines diagnosis of taeniasis and cysticercosis has been developed, however, its performance at community level is not known. The aim of this study is therefore, to evaluate the diagnostic performance of this test in a community setting.MethodsThe study site is Mtandaza community, Sinda district, Eastern Province of Zambia. The diagnostic accuracy is being evaluated for taeniasis and (neuro) cysticercosis in 1200 randomly selected participants in a community-based study. The performance characteristics (sensitivity and specificity) for neurocysticercosis will be computed by cross-tabulating of POC results with those of the ‘neurocysticercosis diagnosis’ while a Bayesian approach will be used for cysticercosis and taeniasis to compare the performance of the index test with reference tests (enzyme-linked immuno-electrotransfer blot (EITB), B158/B60 Ag-ELISA, Ab-ELISA, Copro-Ag ELISA, PCR).ResultsPreliminary results of 505 POC tests so far conducted show that 0.8% were positive for taeniasis, 9.1% for cysticercosis and, 4.6% were invalid or unclear. Except for Copro-Ag and B158/B60 Ag-ELISA for taeniasis and cysticercosis respectively, reference tests are yet to be conducted.ConclusionResults will show the diagnostic value of the POC test and its applicability for use at community level in endemic areas. If successful, implementation of the tool will enable early detection of taeniasis and suspected neurocysticercosis cases and lead to improved patient management and treatment outcomes.
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