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Franco LC, Ahmed M, Kendra CG, Sperling RM, Van Benten K, Lavik JP, Emery CL, Relich RF, Gavina K. Validation of a qualitative real-time PCR assay for the detection of Candida auris in hospital inpatient screening. J Clin Microbiol 2024:e0015824. [PMID: 38690882 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00158-24] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant opportunistic fungal pathogen capable of causing serious infections and healthcare-associated outbreaks. Screening for colonization with C. auris has become routine and is recommended in many hospitals and healthcare facilities as an infection control and prevention strategy. Subsequently, and since there are currently no FDA-approved tests for this purpose, clinical microbiology laboratories have become responsible for developing protocols to detect C. auris using axial and inguinal screening swabs. In a College of American Pathologists-accredited large academic healthcare center setting, we implemented a laboratory-developed nucleic-acid amplification test for the detection of C. auris DNA. Our test validation evaluated the performance of the DiaSorin C. auris primer set used in a real-time qualitative PCR assay on the LIAISON MDX thermocycler with the Simplexa Universal Disc. The assay was highly sensitive and specific, with a limit of detection of 1-2 CFU/reaction, with no observed cross-reactivity with other Candida spp., bacterial skin commensal organisms or commonly encountered viruses. When run in parallel with a culture-based detection method, the PCR assay was 100% sensitive and specific. The assay was precise, with low variability between replicates within and between runs. Lastly, pre-analytical factors, including swab storage time, temperature, and transport media, were assessed and found to have no significant effect on the detection of C. auris at variable concentrations. Taken together, this study expands the available options for nucleic acid detection of C. auris and characterizes pre-analytical factors for implementation in both high- and low-volume laboratory settings. IMPORTANCE This study overviews the validation and implementation of a molecular screening tool for the detection of Candida auris in a College of American Pathologist-accredited clinical laboratory. This molecular laboratory-developed test is both highly sensitive and specific and has significant health-system cost-savings associated with significantly reduced turn-around-time compared to traditional standard-of-care culture-based work up. This method and workflow is of interest to support clinical microbiology diagnostics and to help aid in hospital inpatient, and infection prevention control screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Franco
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Mahmoud Ahmed
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher G Kendra
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - R Matthew Sperling
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Kayla Van Benten
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - John-Paul Lavik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher L Emery
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ryan F Relich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Gavina K, Franco LC, Khan H, Lavik JP, Relich RF. Molecular point-of-care devices for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in resource-limited settings - A review of the current landscape, technical challenges, and clinical impact. J Clin Virol 2023; 169:105613. [PMID: 37866094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105613] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular point-of-care (POC) tests offer high sensitivity, rapid turnaround times, relative ease of use, and the convenience of laboratory-grade testing in the absence of formal laboratory spaces and equipment, making them appealing options for infectious disease diagnosis in resource-limited settings. In this review, we discuss the role and potential of molecular POC tests in resource-limited settings and their associated logistical challenges. We discuss U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments complexity levels, and the REASSURED criteria as a starting point for assessing options currently available inside and outside of the United States. We then present POC tests currently in research and development phases that have potential for commercialization and implementation in limited-resource settings. Finally, we review published studies that have assessed the clinical impact of molecular POC testing in limited- and moderate-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lauren C Franco
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Haseeba Khan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - John-Paul Lavik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ryan F Relich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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3
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Gavina K, Whitacre BE, Meyer TL, Van Benten K, Glazier M, Emery CL, Lavik JP, Relich RF. The Brief Case: Suspicious Gram-Negative Coccobacilli-Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida Isolated from an Immunocompromised Patient. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0078722. [PMID: 37338229 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00787-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Brynne E Whitacre
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Mark Glazier
- Indiana Department of Health Laboratories, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher L Emery
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - John-Paul Lavik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ryan F Relich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Gavina K, Franco LC, Robinson CM, Hymas W, Lei GS, Sinclair W, Hall T, Carlquist J, Lavik JP, Emery CL, Heaton PR, Hillyard D, Lopransi BK, Relich RF. Standardization of SARS-CoV-2 Cycle Threshold Values: Multisite Investigation Evaluating Viral Quantitation across Multiple Commercial COVID-19 Detection Platforms. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0447022. [PMID: 36651781 PMCID: PMC9927101 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04470-22] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The demand for testing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the production of several different commercial platforms and laboratory-developed assays for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This has created several challenges, including, but not limited to, the standardization of diagnostic testing, utilization of cycle threshold (CT) values for quantitation and clinical interpretation, and data harmonization. Using reference standards consisting of a linear range of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations quantitated by viral culture-based methods and droplet digital PCR, we investigated the commutability and standardization of SARS-CoV-2 quantitation across different laboratories in the United States. We assessed SARS-CoV-2 CT values generated on multiple reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) platforms and analyzed PCR efficiencies, linearity, gene targets, and CT value agreement. Our results demonstrate the inappropriateness of using SARS-CoV-2 CT values without established standards for viral quantitation. Further, we emphasize the importance of using reference standards and controls validated to independent assays, to compare results across different testing platforms and move toward better harmonization of COVID-19 quantitative test results. IMPORTANCE From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing has resulted in an explosion of analytical tests with very different approaches and designs. The variability in testing modalities, compounded by the lack of available commercial reference materials for standardization early in the pandemic, has led to several challenges regarding data harmonization for viral quantitation. In this study, we assessed multiple commercially available RT-PCR platforms across different laboratories within the United States using standardized reference materials characterized by viral culture methods and droplet digital PCR. We observed variability in the results generated by different instruments and laboratories, further emphasizing the importance of utilizing validated reference standards for quantitation, to better harmonize SARS-CoV-2 test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Lauren C. Franco
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher M. Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Weston Hymas
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Guang-Sheng Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Will Sinclair
- Intermountain Laboratory Services, Department of Pathology, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Tara Hall
- Intermountain Laboratory Services, Department of Pathology, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - John Carlquist
- Intermountain Laboratory Services, Department of Pathology, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - John-Paul Lavik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christopher L. Emery
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Phillip R. Heaton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Health Partners, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
| | - David Hillyard
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Bert K. Lopransi
- Intermountain Laboratory Services, Department of Pathology, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Ryan F. Relich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Álvarez-Larrotta C, Agudelo OM, Gavina K, Yanow SK, Carmona-Fonseca J, Arango E. Effect of Plasmodium Infection during Pregnancy on Passive Neonatal Immunity against Tetanus Toxoid and Rotavirus. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:1015-1027. [PMID: 36191874 PMCID: PMC9709027 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0335] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive immunity acquired through transplacental IgG transport is essential to protect infants against pathogens as childhood vaccination programs begins. Diarrhea caused by rotavirus and neonatal tetanus are common and potentially fatal childhood infections that can be prevented by transplacental IgG. However, it is not known whether maternal infections in pregnancy can reduce the transfer of these antibodies to the fetus. This study evaluated the effect of submicroscopic Plasmodium infection during pregnancy on the transfer of maternal IgG antibodies against rotavirus (anti-RV) and tetanus toxoid (anti-TT) to newborns of pregnant women residing in Puerto Libertador and Tierralta, Colombia. Expression of different immune mediators and levels of IgG against rotavirus and tetanus toxoid were quantified in pregnant women with and without Plasmodium infection during pregnancy. Submicroscopic infection at the time of delivery was associated with a cord-to-maternal ratio (CMR) > 1 for anti-RV and < 1 for anti-TT IgG, as well as with an increase in the expression of immune mediators of inflammation (IFN-γ), anti-inflammation (IL-10, TGF-β), and regulation (FoxP3, CTLA-4). When compared by species, these findings (CMR > 1 for anti-RV and < 1 for anti-TT IgG) were conserved in submicroscopic Plasmodium vivax infections at delivery. The impact of Plasmodium infections on neonatal susceptibility to other infections warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga M. Agudelo
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Stephanie K. Yanow
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jaime Carmona-Fonseca
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - E. Arango
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Gnidehou S, Mitran CJ, Arango E, Banman S, Mena A, Medawar E, Lima BAS, Doritchamou J, Rajwani J, Jin A, Gavina K, Ntumngia F, Duffy P, Narum D, Ndam NT, Nielsen MA, Salanti A, Kano FS, Carvalho LH, Adams JH, Maestre A, Good MF, Yanow SK. Cross-Species Immune Recognition Between Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein Antibodies and the Plasmodium falciparum Surface Antigen VAR2CSA. J Infect Dis 2019; 219:110-120. [PMID: 30534974 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In pregnancy, Plasmodium falciparum parasites express the surface antigen VAR2CSA, which mediates adherence of red blood cells to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) in the placenta. VAR2CSA antibodies are generally acquired during infection in pregnancy and are associated with protection from placental malaria. We observed previously that men and children in Colombia also had antibodies to VAR2CSA, but the origin of these antibodies was unknown. Here, we tested whether infection with Plasmodium vivax is an alternative mechanism of acquisition of VAR2CSA antibodies. Methods We analyzed sera from nonpregnant Colombians and Brazilians exposed to P. vivax and monoclonal antibodies raised against P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP). Cross-reactivity to VAR2CSA was characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence assay, and flow cytometry, and antibodies were tested for inhibition of parasite binding to CSA. Results Over 50% of individuals had antibodies that recognized VAR2CSA. Affinity-purified PvDBP human antibodies and a PvDBP monoclonal antibody recognized VAR2CSA, showing that PvDBP can give rise to cross-reactive antibodies. Importantly, the monoclonal antibody inhibited parasite binding to CSA, which is the primary in vitro correlate of protection from placental malaria. Conclusions These data suggest that PvDBP induces antibodies that functionally recognize VAR2CSA, revealing a novel mechanism of cross-species immune recognition to falciparum malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sédami Gnidehou
- Department of Biology, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Eliana Arango
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Shanna Banman
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Angie Mena
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Evelyn Medawar
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Justin Doritchamou
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Jahanara Rajwani
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Albert Jin
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Patrick Duffy
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland
| | - David Narum
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland
| | | | - Morten A Nielsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Amanda Maestre
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Stephanie K Yanow
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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Álvarez‐Larrotta C, Agudelo O, Duque Y, Gavina K, Yanow S, Maestre A, Carmona‐Fonseca J, Arango E. Submicroscopic Plasmodium infection during pregnancy is associated with reduced antibody levels to tetanus toxoid. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 195:96-108. [PMID: 30194852 PMCID: PMC6300694 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Submicroscopic Plasmodium infections in pregnancy are common in endemic areas, and it is important to understand the impact of these low-level infections. Asymptomatic, chronic infections are advantageous for parasite persistence, particularly in areas where the optimal eco-epidemiological conditions for parasite transmission fluctuate. In chronic infections, the persistence of the antigenic stimulus changes the expression of immune mediators and promotes constant immune regulation, including increases in regulatory T cell populations. These alterations of the immune system could compromise the response to routine vaccination. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of submicroscopic plasmodial infection with P. falciparum and P. vivax during pregnancy on the immune response to the tetanus toxoid vaccine in Colombian women. Expression of different cytokines and mediators of immune regulation and levels of anti-tetanus toxoid (TT) immunoglobulin (Ig)G were quantified in pregnant women with and without submicroscopic plasmodial infection. The anti-TT IgG levels were significantly lower in the infected group compared with the uninfected group. The expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) was significantly higher in the infected group, while the expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β was lower in the group of infected. In conclusion, submicroscopic Plasmodium infection altered the development of the immune response to the TT vaccine in Colombian pregnant women. The impact of Plasmodium infections on the immune regulatory pathways warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Álvarez‐Larrotta
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - O.M. Agudelo
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - Y. Duque
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - K. Gavina
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - S.K. Yanow
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- School of Public HealthUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - A. Maestre
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - J. Carmona‐Fonseca
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
| | - E. Arango
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad de AntioquiaMedellínColombia
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Gavina K, Gnidehou S, Arango E, Hamel-Martineau C, Mitran C, Agudelo O, Lopez C, Karidio A, Banman S, Carmona-Fonseca J, Salanti A, Tuikue Ndam N, Hawkes M, Maestre A, Yanow SK. Clinical Outcomes of Submicroscopic Infections and Correlates of Protection of VAR2CSA Antibodies in a Longitudinal Study of Pregnant Women in Colombia. Infect Immun 2018; 86:e00797-17. [PMID: 29378797 PMCID: PMC5865023 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00797-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria in pregnancy can cause serious adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus. However, little is known about the effects of submicroscopic infections (SMIs) in pregnancy, particularly in areas where Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax cocirculate. A cohort of 187 pregnant women living in Puerto Libertador in northwest Colombia was followed longitudinally from recruitment to delivery. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopy, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and placental histopathology. Gestational age, hemoglobin concentration, VAR2CSA-specific IgG levels, and adhesion-blocking antibodies were measured during pregnancy. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of SMIs on birth weight and other delivery outcomes. Twenty-five percent of women (45/180) were positive for SMIs during pregnancy. Forty-seven percent of infections (21/45) were caused by P. falciparum, 33% were caused by P. vivax, and 20% were caused by mixed Plasmodium spp. Mixed infections of P. falciparum and P. vivax were associated with lower gestational age at delivery (P = 0.0033), while other outcomes were normal. Over 60% of women had antibodies to VAR2CSA, and there was no difference in antibody levels between those with and without SMIs. The anti-adhesion function of these antibodies was associated with protection from SMI-related anemia at delivery (P = 0.0086). SMIs occur frequently during pregnancy, and while mixed infections of both P. falciparum and P. vivax were not associated with a decrease in birth weight, they were associated with significant risk of preterm birth. We propose that the lack of adverse delivery outcomes is due to functional VAR2CSA antibodies that can protect pregnant women from SMI-related anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sedami Gnidehou
- Department of Biology, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eliana Arango
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Chloe Hamel-Martineau
- Department of Biology, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Mitran
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Olga Agudelo
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Carolina Lopez
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Aisha Karidio
- Department of Biology, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shanna Banman
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jaime Carmona-Fonseca
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Michael Hawkes
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amanda Maestre
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Stephanie K Yanow
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Yanow SK, Gavina K, Gnidehou S, Maestre A. Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy as Latin America Approaches Elimination. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:416-427. [PMID: 26875608 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Latin America, four million pregnancies are at risk of malaria annually, but malaria in pregnancy is largely overlooked. As countries progress toward malaria elimination, targeting reservoirs of transmission is a priority. Pregnant women are an important risk group because they harbor asymptomatic infections and dormant liver stages of Plasmodium vivax that cause relapses. Of significant concern is the discovery that most infections in pregnant women fail to be detected by routine diagnostics. We review here recent findings on malaria in pregnancy within Latin America. We focus on the Amazon basin and Northwest Colombia, areas that harbor the greatest burden of malaria, and propose that more sensitive diagnostics and active surveillance at antenatal clinics will be necessary to eliminate malaria from these final frontiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Yanow
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Kenneth Gavina
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sedami Gnidehou
- Department of Biology, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amanda Maestre
- Grupo Salud y Comunidad, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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