Publications

" Our main objective is to develop and maintain over time a good expertise and infrastructure ensuring high quality training and clinical research."
Prof Halidou TINTO, PharmD, Msc, PhD Head of the CRUN

2023
Journal Articles
	Oumou Camara, Mamadou Camara, Laura Cristina Falzon, Hamidou Ilboudo, Jacques Kaboré, Charlie Franck Alfred Compaoré, Eric Maurice Fèvre, Philippe Büscher, Bruno Bucheton, Veerle Lejon Performance of clinical signs and symptoms, rapid and reference laboratory diagnostic tests for diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis by passive screening in Guinea: a prospective diagnostic accuracy study Journal Article In: Infectious diseases of poverty, vol. 12, iss. 1, 2023, ISSN: 2049-9957. Abstract \| BibTeX \| Tags: African, Animals, Clinical Trial, Diagnostic Tests, doi:10.1186/s40249-023-01076-1, Guinea, Humans, Mamadou Camara, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Oumou Camara, PMC10026442, pmid:36941656, Prospective Studies, PubMed Abstract, Routine, Sensitivity and Specificity, Trypanosomiasis, Veerle Lejon \| Links: Close Close @article{Camara2023, title = {Performance of clinical signs and symptoms, rapid and reference laboratory diagnostic tests for diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis by passive screening in Guinea: a prospective diagnostic accuracy study}, author = {Oumou Camara and Mamadou Camara and Laura Cristina Falzon and Hamidou Ilboudo and Jacques Kabor\'{e} and Charlie Franck Alfred Compaor\'{e} and Eric Maurice F\`{e}vre and Philippe B\"{u}scher and Bruno Bucheton and Veerle Lejon}, url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36941656/}, doi = {10.1186/S40249-023-01076-1}, issn = {2049-9957}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-01-01}, journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty}, volume = {12}, issue = {1}, publisher = {Infect Dis Poverty}, abstract = {Background: Passive diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) at the health facility level is a major component of HAT control in Guinea. We examined which clinical signs and symptoms are associated with HAT, and assessed the performance of selected clinical presentations, of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), and of reference laboratory tests on dried blood spots (DBS) for diagnosing HAT in Guinea. Method: The study took place in 14 health facilities in Guinea, where 2345 clinical suspects were tested with RDTs (HAT Sero-K-Set, rHAT Sero-Strip, and SD Bioline HAT). Seropositives underwent parasitological examination (reference test) to confirm HAT and their DBS were tested in indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA)/Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, trypanolysis, Loopamp Trypanosoma brucei Detection kit (LAMP) and m18S quantitative PCR (qPCR). Multivariable regression analysis assessed association of clinical presentation with HAT. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of key clinical presentations, of the RDTs and of the DBS tests for HAT diagnosis were determined. Results: The HAT prevalence, as confirmed parasitologically, was 2.0% (48/2345, 95% CI: 1.5\textendash2.7%). Odds ratios (OR) for HAT were increased for participants with swollen lymph nodes (OR = 96.7, 95% CI: 20.7\textendash452.0), important weight loss (OR = 20.4, 95% CI: 7.05\textendash58.9), severe itching (OR = 45.9, 95% CI: 7.3\textendash288.7) or motor disorders (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 0.89\textendash22.5). Presence of at least one of these clinical presentations was 75.6% (95% CI: 73.8\textendash77.4%) specific and 97.9% (95% CI: 88.9\textendash99.9%) sensitive for HAT. HAT Sero-K-Set, rHAT Sero-Strip, and SD Bioline HAT were respectively 97.5% (95% CI: 96.8\textendash98.1%), 99.4% (95% CI: 99.0\textendash99.7%) and 97.9% (95% CI: 97.2\textendash98.4%) specific, and 100% (95% CI: 92.5\textendash100.0%), 59.6% (95% CI: 44.3\textendash73.3%) and 93.8% (95% CI: 82.8\textendash98.7%) sensitive for HAT. The RDT’s positive and negative predictive values ranged from 45.2\textendash66.7% and 99.2\textendash100% respectively. All DBS tests had specificities ≥ 92.9%. While LAMP and m18S qPCR sensitivities were below 50%, trypanolysis and ELISA/T.b. gambiense had sensitivities of 85.3% (95% CI: 68.9\textendash95.0%) and 67.6% (95% CI: 49.5\textendash82.6%). Conclusions: Presence of swollen lymph nodes, important weight loss, severe itching or motor disorders are simple but accurate clinical criteria for HAT referral in HAT endemic areas in Guinea. Diagnostic performances of HAT Sero-K-Set and SD Bioline HAT are sufficient for referring positives to microscopy. Trypanolysis on DBS may discriminate HAT patients from false RDT positives. Trial registration The trial was registered under NCT03356665 in clinicaltrials.gov (November 29, 2017, retrospectively registered https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03356665) Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].}, keywords = {African, Animals, Clinical Trial, Diagnostic Tests, doi:10.1186/s40249-023-01076-1, Guinea, Humans, Mamadou Camara, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Oumou Camara, PMC10026442, pmid:36941656, Prospective Studies, PubMed Abstract, Routine, Sensitivity and Specificity, Trypanosomiasis, Veerle Lejon}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Close Background: Passive diagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) at the health facility level is a major component of HAT control in Guinea. We examined which clinical signs and symptoms are associated with HAT, and assessed the performance of selected clinical presentations, of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), and of reference laboratory tests on dried blood spots (DBS) for diagnosing HAT in Guinea. Method: The study took place in 14 health facilities in Guinea, where 2345 clinical suspects were tested with RDTs (HAT Sero-K-Set, rHAT Sero-Strip, and SD Bioline HAT). Seropositives underwent parasitological examination (reference test) to confirm HAT and their DBS were tested in indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA)/Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, trypanolysis, Loopamp Trypanosoma brucei Detection kit (LAMP) and m18S quantitative PCR (qPCR). Multivariable regression analysis assessed association of clinical presentation with HAT. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of key clinical presentations, of the RDTs and of the DBS tests for HAT diagnosis were determined. Results: The HAT prevalence, as confirmed parasitologically, was 2.0% (48/2345, 95% CI: 1.5–2.7%). Odds ratios (OR) for HAT were increased for participants with swollen lymph nodes (OR = 96.7, 95% CI: 20.7–452.0), important weight loss (OR = 20.4, 95% CI: 7.05–58.9), severe itching (OR = 45.9, 95% CI: 7.3–288.7) or motor disorders (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 0.89–22.5). Presence of at least one of these clinical presentations was 75.6% (95% CI: 73.8–77.4%) specific and 97.9% (95% CI: 88.9–99.9%) sensitive for HAT. HAT Sero-K-Set, rHAT Sero-Strip, and SD Bioline HAT were respectively 97.5% (95% CI: 96.8–98.1%), 99.4% (95% CI: 99.0–99.7%) and 97.9% (95% CI: 97.2–98.4%) specific, and 100% (95% CI: 92.5–100.0%), 59.6% (95% CI: 44.3–73.3%) and 93.8% (95% CI: 82.8–98.7%) sensitive for HAT. The RDT’s positive and negative predictive values ranged from 45.2–66.7% and 99.2–100% respectively. All DBS tests had specificities ≥ 92.9%. While LAMP and m18S qPCR sensitivities were below 50%, trypanolysis and ELISA/T.b. gambiense had sensitivities of 85.3% (95% CI: 68.9–95.0%) and 67.6% (95% CI: 49.5–82.6%). Conclusions: Presence of swollen lymph nodes, important weight loss, severe itching or motor disorders are simple but accurate clinical criteria for HAT referral in HAT endemic areas in Guinea. Diagnostic performances of HAT Sero-K-Set and SD Bioline HAT are sufficient for referring positives to microscopy. Trypanolysis on DBS may discriminate HAT patients from false RDT positives. Trial registration The trial was registered under NCT03356665 in clinicaltrials.gov (November 29, 2017, retrospectively registered https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03356665) Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. Close
	Japhet Kabalu Tshiongo, Flory Luzolo, Melissa Kabena, Lise Kuseke, Moussa Djimde, Patrick Mitashi, Crispin Lumbala, Kassoum Kayentao, Sandra Menting, Petra F. Mens, Henk D. F. H. Schallig, Pascal Lutumba, Halidou Tinto, Hypolite Muhindo Mavoko, Vivi Maketa Performance of ultra-sensitive malaria rapid diagnostic test to detect Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Journal Article In: Malaria journal, vol. 22, iss. 1, 2023, ISSN: 1475-2875. Abstract \| BibTeX \| Tags: Antigens, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Diagnostic Tests, doi:10.1186/s12936-023-04749-2, Falciparum* / epidemiology, Female, Flory Luzolo, Humans, Japhet Kabalu Tshiongo, Malaria, Malaria, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Plasmodium falciparum, PMC10594769, pmid:37872634, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Protozoan, PubMed Abstract, Rapid diagnostic tests, Routine / methods, Sensitivity and Specificity, Vivi Maketa \| Links: Close Close @article{nokey, title = {Performance of ultra-sensitive malaria rapid diagnostic test to detect Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo}, author = {Japhet Kabalu Tshiongo and Flory Luzolo and Melissa Kabena and Lise Kuseke and Moussa Djimde and Patrick Mitashi and Crispin Lumbala and Kassoum Kayentao and Sandra Menting and Petra F. Mens and Henk D. F. H. Schallig and Pascal Lutumba and Halidou Tinto and Hypolite Muhindo Mavoko and Vivi Maketa}, url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37872634/}, doi = {10.1186/S12936-023-04749-2}, issn = {1475-2875}, year = {2023}, date = {2023-01-01}, journal = {Malaria journal}, volume = {22}, issue = {1}, publisher = {Malar J}, abstract = {Background: Low peripheral parasitaemia caused by sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum in the placenta hampers the diagnosis of malaria in pregnant women, leading to microscopy or conventional rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) false-negative results. Although mainly asymptomatic, maternal malaria remains harmful to pregnant women and their offspring in endemic settings and must be adequately diagnosed. Ultra-sensitive RDTs (uRDTs) are thought to be more sensitive than RDTs, and their diagnostic performance was assessed in the current study in pregnant women living in Kinshasa, a stable malaria transmission area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods: To assess and compare the diagnostic performances of both RDTs and uRDTs, 497 peripheral blood samples were tested using microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as the index and the reference tests, respectively. The agreement between the different diagnostic tests assessed was estimated by Cohen's Kappa test. Results: The median parasite density by qPCR was 292 p/μL of blood [IQR (49.7\textendash1137)]. Using qPCR as the reference diagnostic test, the sensitivities of microscopy, RDT and uRDT were respectively [55.7% (95% CI 47.6\textendash63.6)], [81.7% (95%CI 74.7\textendash87.3)] and [88% (95% CI 81.9\textendash92.6)]. The specificities of the tests were calculated at 98.5% (95% CI 96.6\textendash99.5), 95.2% (95% CI 92.5\textendash97.2) and 94.4% (95% CI 91.4\textendash96.6) for microscopy, RDT and uRDT, respectively. The agreement between qPCR and uRDT was almost perfect (Kappa = 0.82). For parasite density (qPCR) below 100 p/µL, the sensitivity of RDT was 62% (95% CI 47.1\textendash75.3) compared to 68% (95% CI 53.3\textendash80.4) for uRDT. Between 100 and 200 p/µL, the sensitivity of RDT was higher, but still lower compared to uRDT: 89.4% (95% CI 66.8\textendash98.7) for RDT versus 100% (95% CI 82.3\textendash100) for uRDT. In both cases, microscopy was lower, with 20% (95% CI 10\textendash33.7) and 47.3% (95% CI 24.4\textendash71.1) respectively. Conclusions: uRDT has the potential to improve malaria management in pregnant women as it has been found to be slightly more sensitive than RDT in the detection of malaria in pregnant women but the difference was not significant. Microscopy has a more limited value for the diagnosis of malaria during the pregnancy, because of its lower sensitivity.}, keywords = {Antigens, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Diagnostic Tests, doi:10.1186/s12936-023-04749-2, Falciparum / epidemiology, Female, Flory Luzolo, Humans, Japhet Kabalu Tshiongo, Malaria, Malaria*, MEDLINE, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, NCBI, NIH, NLM, Plasmodium falciparum, PMC10594769, pmid:37872634, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Protozoan, PubMed Abstract, Rapid diagnostic tests, Routine / methods, Sensitivity and Specificity, Vivi Maketa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Close Background: Low peripheral parasitaemia caused by sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum in the placenta hampers the diagnosis of malaria in pregnant women, leading to microscopy or conventional rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) false-negative results. Although mainly asymptomatic, maternal malaria remains harmful to pregnant women and their offspring in endemic settings and must be adequately diagnosed. Ultra-sensitive RDTs (uRDTs) are thought to be more sensitive than RDTs, and their diagnostic performance was assessed in the current study in pregnant women living in Kinshasa, a stable malaria transmission area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods: To assess and compare the diagnostic performances of both RDTs and uRDTs, 497 peripheral blood samples were tested using microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as the index and the reference tests, respectively. The agreement between the different diagnostic tests assessed was estimated by Cohen's Kappa test. Results: The median parasite density by qPCR was 292 p/μL of blood [IQR (49.7–1137)]. Using qPCR as the reference diagnostic test, the sensitivities of microscopy, RDT and uRDT were respectively [55.7% (95% CI 47.6–63.6)], [81.7% (95%CI 74.7–87.3)] and [88% (95% CI 81.9–92.6)]. The specificities of the tests were calculated at 98.5% (95% CI 96.6–99.5), 95.2% (95% CI 92.5–97.2) and 94.4% (95% CI 91.4–96.6) for microscopy, RDT and uRDT, respectively. The agreement between qPCR and uRDT was almost perfect (Kappa = 0.82). For parasite density (qPCR) below 100 p/µL, the sensitivity of RDT was 62% (95% CI 47.1–75.3) compared to 68% (95% CI 53.3–80.4) for uRDT. Between 100 and 200 p/µL, the sensitivity of RDT was higher, but still lower compared to uRDT: 89.4% (95% CI 66.8–98.7) for RDT versus 100% (95% CI 82.3–100) for uRDT. In both cases, microscopy was lower, with 20% (95% CI 10–33.7) and 47.3% (95% CI 24.4–71.1) respectively. Conclusions: uRDT has the potential to improve malaria management in pregnant women as it has been found to be slightly more sensitive than RDT in the detection of malaria in pregnant women but the difference was not significant. Microscopy has a more limited value for the diagnosis of malaria during the pregnancy, because of its lower sensitivity. Close
2021
Journal Articles
	Annelies Post, Berenger Kaboré, Joel Bognini, Salou Diallo, Palpouguini Lompo, Basile Kam, Natacha Herssens, Fred Opzeeland, Christa E Gaast-de Jongh, Jeroen D Langereis, Marien I Jonge, Janette Rahamat-Langendoen, Teun Bousema, Heiman Wertheim, Robert W Sauerwein, Halidou Tinto, Jan Jacobs, Quirijn Mast, Andre J Ven Infection Manager System (IMS) as a new hemocytometry-based bacteremia detection tool: A diagnostic accuracy study in a malaria-endemic area of Burkina Faso Journal Article In: PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., vol. 15, no. 3, pp. e0009187, 2021, ISSN: 1935-2735 1935-2727, (PMID: 33647009 PMCID: PMC7951874). Abstract \| BibTeX \| Tags: Adolescent, Automation, Bacteremia/diagnosis, Burkina Faso, C-Reactive Protein/analysis, Child, Coinfection/diagnosis/microbiology/parasitology, Female, Fever of Unknown Origin/diagnosis, Humans, Infant, Laboratory/methods, Malaria/diagnosis, Male, Preschool, Procalcitonin/analysis, Prospective Studies, Sensitivity and Specificity, Software, Virus Diseases/diagnosis \| Links: Close Close @article{Post2021-zl, title = {Infection Manager System (IMS) as a new hemocytometry-based bacteremia detection tool: A diagnostic accuracy study in a malaria-endemic area of Burkina Faso}, author = {Annelies Post and Berenger Kabor\'{e} and Joel Bognini and Salou Diallo and Palpouguini Lompo and Basile Kam and Natacha Herssens and Fred Opzeeland and Christa E Gaast-de Jongh and Jeroen D Langereis and Marien I Jonge and Janette Rahamat-Langendoen and Teun Bousema and Heiman Wertheim and Robert W Sauerwein and Halidou Tinto and Jan Jacobs and Quirijn Mast and Andre J Ven}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0009187}, issn = {1935-2735 1935-2727}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-03-01}, urldate = {2021-03-01}, journal = {PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis.}, volume = {15}, number = {3}, pages = {e0009187}, publisher = {Public Library of Science (PLoS)}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: New hemocytometric parameters can be used to differentiate causes of acute febrile illness (AFI). We evaluated a software algorithm-Infection Manager System (IMS)-which uses hemocytometric data generated by Sysmex hematology analyzers, for its accuracy to detect bacteremia in AFI patients with and without malaria in Burkina Faso. Secondary aims included comparing the accuracy of IMS with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). METHODS: In a prospective observational study, patients of $geq$ three-month-old (range 3 months- 90 years) presenting with AFI were enrolled. IMS, blood culture and malaria diagnostics were done upon inclusion and additional diagnostics on clinical indication. CRP, PCT, viral multiplex PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs and bacterial- and malaria PCR were batch-tested retrospectively. Diagnostic classification was done retrospectively using all available data except IMS, CRP and PCT results. FINDINGS: A diagnosis was affirmed in 549/914 (60.1%) patients and included malaria (n = 191) bacteremia (n = 69), viral infections (n = 145), and malaria-bacteremia co-infections (n = 47). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) of IMS for detection of bacteremia in patients of $geq$ 5 years were 97.0% (95% CI: 89.8-99.6), 68.2% (95% CI: 55.6-79.1) and 95.7% (95% CI: 85.5-99.5) respectively, compared to 93.9% (95% CI: 85.2-98.3), 39.4% (95% CI: 27.6-52.2), and 86.7% (95% CI: 69.3-96.2) for CRP at $geq$20mg/L. The sensitivity, specificity and NPV of PCT at 0.5 ng/ml were lower at respectively 72.7% (95% CI: 60.4-83.0), 50.0% (95% CI: 37.4-62.6) and 64.7% (95% CI: 50.1-77.6) The diagnostic accuracy of IMS was lower among malaria cases and patients \<5 years but remained equal to- or higher than the accuracy of CRP. INTERPRETATION: IMS is a new diagnostic tool to differentiate causes of AFI. Its high NPV for bacteremia has the potential to improve antibiotic dispensing practices in healthcare facilities with hematology analyzers. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether IMS, combined with malaria diagnostics, may be used to rationalize antimicrobial prescription in malaria endemic areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02669823) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02669823.}, note = {PMID: 33647009 PMCID: PMC7951874}, keywords = {Adolescent, Automation, Bacteremia/diagnosis, Burkina Faso, C-Reactive Protein/analysis, Child, Coinfection/diagnosis/microbiology/parasitology, Female, Fever of Unknown Origin/diagnosis, Humans, Infant, Laboratory/methods, Malaria/diagnosis, Male, Preschool, Procalcitonin/analysis, Prospective Studies, Sensitivity and Specificity, Software, Virus Diseases/diagnosis}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Close BACKGROUND: New hemocytometric parameters can be used to differentiate causes of acute febrile illness (AFI). We evaluated a software algorithm-Infection Manager System (IMS)-which uses hemocytometric data generated by Sysmex hematology analyzers, for its accuracy to detect bacteremia in AFI patients with and without malaria in Burkina Faso. Secondary aims included comparing the accuracy of IMS with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). METHODS: In a prospective observational study, patients of $geq$ three-month-old (range 3 months- 90 years) presenting with AFI were enrolled. IMS, blood culture and malaria diagnostics were done upon inclusion and additional diagnostics on clinical indication. CRP, PCT, viral multiplex PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs and bacterial- and malaria PCR were batch-tested retrospectively. Diagnostic classification was done retrospectively using all available data except IMS, CRP and PCT results. FINDINGS: A diagnosis was affirmed in 549/914 (60.1%) patients and included malaria (n = 191) bacteremia (n = 69), viral infections (n = 145), and malaria-bacteremia co-infections (n = 47). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) of IMS for detection of bacteremia in patients of $geq$ 5 years were 97.0% (95% CI: 89.8-99.6), 68.2% (95% CI: 55.6-79.1) and 95.7% (95% CI: 85.5-99.5) respectively, compared to 93.9% (95% CI: 85.2-98.3), 39.4% (95% CI: 27.6-52.2), and 86.7% (95% CI: 69.3-96.2) for CRP at $geq$20mg/L. The sensitivity, specificity and NPV of PCT at 0.5 ng/ml were lower at respectively 72.7% (95% CI: 60.4-83.0), 50.0% (95% CI: 37.4-62.6) and 64.7% (95% CI: 50.1-77.6) The diagnostic accuracy of IMS was lower among malaria cases and patients <5 years but remained equal to- or higher than the accuracy of CRP. INTERPRETATION: IMS is a new diagnostic tool to differentiate causes of AFI. Its high NPV for bacteremia has the potential to improve antibiotic dispensing practices in healthcare facilities with hematology analyzers. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether IMS, combined with malaria diagnostics, may be used to rationalize antimicrobial prescription in malaria endemic areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02669823) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02669823. Close
2020
Journal Articles
	Charlie Franck Alfred Compaoré, Hamidou Ilboudo, Jacques Kaboré, Justin Windingoudi Kaboré, Oumou Camara, Mohamed Bamba, Hassane Sakande, Minayégninrin Koné, Mamadou Camara, Dramane Kaba, Adrien Marie Gaston Belem, Stijn Deborggraeve, Philippe Büscher, Bruno Bucheton, Veerle Lejon, Vincent Jamonneau Analytical sensitivity of loopamp and quantitative real-time PCR on dried blood spots and their potential role in monitoring human African trypanosomiasis elimination. Journal Article In: Experimental parasitology, vol. 219, pp. 108014, 2020, ISSN: 1090-2449 0014-4894. Abstract \| BibTeX \| Tags: African/blood/diagnosis/prevention & control, Algorithms, Animals, Blood Specimen Collection/methods/standards, Diagnosis, DNA, Dried blood spots, Feasibility, High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods/standards, Humans, Loopamp, Mice, Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/standards, Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/standards, Protozoan/isolation & purification, Quantitative real-time PCR, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods/standards, Sensitivity, Sensitivity and Specificity, Specimen Handling/methods/standards, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense/genetics/isolation & purification, Trypanosomiasis \| Links: Close Close @article{nokey, title = {Analytical sensitivity of loopamp and quantitative real-time PCR on dried blood spots and their potential role in monitoring human African trypanosomiasis elimination.}, author = {Charlie Franck Alfred Compaor\'{e} and Hamidou Ilboudo and Jacques Kabor\'{e} and Justin Windingoudi Kabor\'{e} and Oumou Camara and Mohamed Bamba and Hassane Sakande and Minay\'{e}gninrin Kon\'{e} and Mamadou Camara and Dramane Kaba and Adrien Marie Gaston Belem and Stijn Deborggraeve and Philippe B\"{u}scher and Bruno Bucheton and Veerle Lejon and Vincent Jamonneau}, doi = {10.1016/j.exppara.2020.108014}, issn = {1090-2449 0014-4894}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-12-01}, urldate = {2020-12-01}, journal = {Experimental parasitology}, volume = {219}, pages = {108014}, address = {United States}, abstract = {The objective set by WHO to reach elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) as a public health problem by 2020 is being achieved. The next target is the interruption of gambiense-HAT transmission in humans by 2030. To monitor progress towards this target, in areas where specialized local HAT control capacities will disappear, is a major challenge. Test specimens should be easily collectable and safely transportable such as dried blood spots (DBS). Monitoring tests performed in regional reference centres should be reliable, cheap and allow analysis of large numbers of specimens in a high-throughput format. The aim of this study was to assess the analytical sensitivity of Loopamp, M18S quantitative real-time PCR (M18S qPCR) and TgsGP qPCR as molecular diagnostic tests for the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in DBS. The sensitivity of the Loopamp test, with a detection limit of 100 trypanosomes/mL, was in the range of parasitaemias commonly observed in HAT patients, while detection limits for M18S and TgsGP qPCR were respectively 1000 and 10,000 trypanosomes/mL. None of the tests was entirely suitable for high-throughput use and further development and implementation of sensitive high-throughput molecular tools for monitoring HAT elimination are needed.}, keywords = {African/blood/diagnosis/prevention \& control, Algorithms, Animals, Blood Specimen Collection/methods/standards, Diagnosis, DNA, Dried blood spots, Feasibility, High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods/standards, Humans, Loopamp, Mice, Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/standards, Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/standards, Protozoan/isolation \& purification, Quantitative real-time PCR, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods/standards, Sensitivity, Sensitivity and Specificity, Specimen Handling/methods/standards, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense/genetics/isolation \& purification, Trypanosomiasis}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Close The objective set by WHO to reach elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) as a public health problem by 2020 is being achieved. The next target is the interruption of gambiense-HAT transmission in humans by 2030. To monitor progress towards this target, in areas where specialized local HAT control capacities will disappear, is a major challenge. Test specimens should be easily collectable and safely transportable such as dried blood spots (DBS). Monitoring tests performed in regional reference centres should be reliable, cheap and allow analysis of large numbers of specimens in a high-throughput format. The aim of this study was to assess the analytical sensitivity of Loopamp, M18S quantitative real-time PCR (M18S qPCR) and TgsGP qPCR as molecular diagnostic tests for the presence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in DBS. The sensitivity of the Loopamp test, with a detection limit of 100 trypanosomes/mL, was in the range of parasitaemias commonly observed in HAT patients, while detection limits for M18S and TgsGP qPCR were respectively 1000 and 10,000 trypanosomes/mL. None of the tests was entirely suitable for high-throughput use and further development and implementation of sensitive high-throughput molecular tools for monitoring HAT elimination are needed. Close