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Yeboah C, Mosore MT, Attram N, Shelite TR, Akuffo RA, Addo SO, Behene E, Agbodzi B, Bentil RE, Fox AT, Wilson M, Boakye D, Letizia AG, Melby PC, Travi BL. A Preliminary Study to Compare Recombinase Polymerase Amplification-Lateral Flow and Quantitative PCR in the Detection of Cutaneous Leishmania in Communities from the Volta Region of Ghana. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:75-80. [PMID: 36763962 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0043] [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] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that mostly affects populations in tropical and subtropical countries. In Ghana, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form of the disease affecting communities of the Volta Region. Conventional parasitological method (microscopy) is the commonly used test for CL diagnosis in many endemic countries, but has low sensitivity in chronic cases. Therefore, there is a clear need for a sensitive and easy-to-use point-of-care diagnostic method like an isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow (RPA-LF) test, suitable for use in austere and low-resource settings for the identification of CL cases. This study compared the efficacy of RPA-LF test with quantitative PCR (qPCR) in detecting Leishmania in suspected CL cases from the Volta Region. Methods: Twenty-five participants between 5 and 14 years were enrolled in the study from whom a total of 26 samples were obtained. Lesion samples were collected using FTA® filter papers applied to ulcerated lesions for molecular diagnosis. DNA isolated from filter papers was used for both the RPA-LF test and qPCR. Results: Twenty-two participants (88%) presented with one or two ulcerated active lesions per individual, while the rest of them had plaques or dried lesions. Among the 26 samples, 19/26 (73%) had concordant results when comparing the two diagnostic methods. Conclusion: Data from this study suggest that the RPA-LF test can be used in addition to a conventional parasitological diagnostic test (microscopy) to detect CL cases in communities of the Volta Region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Yeboah
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mba-Tihssommah Mosore
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Naiki Attram
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Thomas R Shelite
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard A Akuffo
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Seth O Addo
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eric Behene
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bright Agbodzi
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ronald E Bentil
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.,U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anne T Fox
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Daniel Boakye
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Andrew G Letizia
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana
| | - Peter C Melby
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Bruno L Travi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Akowuah KA, Akuffo RA, Boateng AT, Asigbee TW, Bonney JHK, Lamptey H, Adusei-Poku MA, Obodai E, Asante IA, Adjei S, Aboagye JO, Adu-Amankwah S, Partey FD, Kyei GB, Ampofo WK, Odoom JK, Bonney EY. SARS-CoV-2 infections among asymptomatic individuals contributed to COVID-19 cases: A cross-sectional study among prospective air travelers from Ghana. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1035763. [PMID: 36589973 PMCID: PMC9795010 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1035763] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by asymptomatic individuals has been reported since the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in various parts of the world. However, there are limited data regarding SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic individuals in Ghana. The aim of the study was to use test data of prospective travelers from Ghana as a proxy to estimate the contribution of asymptomatic cases to the spread of COVID-19. Methods The study analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test data of clients whose purpose for testing was classified as "Travel" at the COVID-19 walk-in test center of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) from July 2020 to July 2021. These individuals requesting tests for travel generally had no clinical symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing. Data were processed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel office 16 and STATA version 16. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data on test and demographic characteristics. Results Out of 42,997 samples tested at the center within that period, 28,384 (66.0%) were classified as "Travel" tests. Of these, 1,900 (6.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The majority (64.8%) of the "Travel" tests were requested by men. The men recorded a SARS-CoV-2 positivity of 6.9% compared to the 6.4% observed among women. Test requests for SARS-CoV-2 were received from all regions of Ghana, with a majority (83.3%) received from the Greater Accra Region. Although the Eastern region recorded the highest SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate of 8.35%, the Greater Accra region contributed 81% to the total number of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases detected within the period of study. Conclusion Our study found substantial SARS-CoV-2 positivity among asymptomatic individuals who, without the requirement for a negative SARS-CoV-2 result for travel, would have no reason to test. These asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals could have traveled to other countries and unintentionally spread the virus. Our findings call for enhanced tracing and testing of asymptomatic contacts of individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwasi A. Akowuah
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Richard A. Akuffo
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana,Medical and Scientific Research Centre, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anthony T. Boateng
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Theodore W. Asigbee
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph H. K. Bonney
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Helena Lamptey
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mildred A. Adusei-Poku
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evangeline Obodai
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ivy A. Asante
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Adjei
- Department of Animal Experimentation, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - James O. Aboagye
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana,Medical and Scientific Research Centre, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana
| | - Susan Adu-Amankwah
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Frederica D. Partey
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - George B. Kyei
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana,Medical and Scientific Research Centre, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Ghana
| | - William K. Ampofo
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - John K. Odoom
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Y. Bonney
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana,*Correspondence: Evelyn Y. Bonney
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Doritchamou JYA, Akuffo RA, Moussiliou A, Luty AJF, Massougbodji A, Deloron P, Tuikue Ndam NG. Submicroscopic placental infection by non-falciparum Plasmodium spp. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006279. [PMID: 29432484 PMCID: PMC5825172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among the Plasmodium species that infect humans, adverse effects of P. falciparum and P. vivax have been extensively studied and reported with respect to poor outcomes particularly in first time mothers and in pregnant women living in areas with unstable malaria transmission. Although, other non-falciparum malaria infections during pregnancy have sometimes been reported, little is known about the dynamics of these infections during pregnancy. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using a quantitative PCR approach, blood samples collected from Beninese pregnant women during the first antenatal visit (ANV) and at delivery including placental blood were screened for Plasmodium spp. Risk factors associated with Plasmodium spp. infection during pregnancy were assessed as well as the relationships with pregnancy outcomes. P. falciparum was the most prevalent Plasmodium species detected during pregnancy, irrespective either of parity, of age or of season during which the infection occurred. Although no P. vivax infections were detected in this cohort, P. malariae (9.2%) and P. ovale (5.8%) infections were observed in samples collected during the first ANV. These non-falciparum infections were also detected in maternal peripheral blood (1.3% for P. malariae and 1.2% for P. ovale) at delivery. Importantly, higher prevalence of P. malariae (5.5%) was observed in placental than peripheral blood while that of P. ovale was similar (1.8% in placental blood). Among the non-falciparum infected pregnant women with paired peripheral and placental samples, P. malariae infections in the placental blood was significantly higher than in the peripheral blood, suggesting a possible affinity of P. malariae for the placenta. However, no assoctiation of non-falciparum infections and the pregnancy outcomes was observed. CONCLUSIONS Overall this study provided insights into the molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium spp. infection during pregnancy, indicating placental infection by non-falciparum Plasmodium and the lack of association of these infections with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Y. A. Doritchamou
- MERIT, Intitut de Recherche pour le Developpement—Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Richard A. Akuffo
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Azizath Moussiliou
- MERIT, Intitut de Recherche pour le Developpement—Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Adrian J. F. Luty
- MERIT, Intitut de Recherche pour le Developpement—Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Achille Massougbodji
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Philippe Deloron
- MERIT, Intitut de Recherche pour le Developpement—Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Nicaise G. Tuikue Ndam
- MERIT, Intitut de Recherche pour le Developpement—Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Centre d’Etude et de Recherche sur le Paludisme Associé à la Grossesse et à l’Enfance (CERPAGE), Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- * E-mail:
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