scholarly journals Comparison of Diagnostic Tests for Onchocerca volvulus in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 435 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Hotterbeekx ◽  
Jolien Perneel ◽  
Michel Mandro ◽  
Germain Abhafule ◽  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Skin Snips

Onchocerciasis is diagnosed by detecting microfilariae in skin snips or by detecting OV16 IgG4 antibodies in blood by either enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Here, we compare the sensitivity and specificity of these three tests in persons with epilepsy living in an onchocerciasis endemic region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Skin snips and blood samples were collected from 285 individuals for onchocerciasis diagnosis. Three tests were performed: the OV16 RDT (SD Bioline) and the OV16 ELISA both on serum samples, and microscopic detection of microfilariae in skin snips. The sensitivity and specificity of each test was calculated with the combined other tests as a reference. Microfilariae were present in 105 (36.8%) individuals, with a median of 18.5 (6.5–72.0) microfilariae/skin snip. The OV16 RDT and OV16 ELISA were positive in, respectively, 112 (39.3%) and 143 (50.2%) individuals. The OV16 ELISA had the highest sensitivity among the three tests (83%), followed by the OV16 RDT (74.8%) and the skin snip (71.4%). The OV16 RDT had a higher specificity (98.6%) compared to the OV16 ELISA (84.8%). Our study confirms the need to develop more sensitive tests to ensure the accurate detection of ongoing transmission before stopping elimination efforts.

scholarly journals Bio-surveillance of environmental pollutants in the population of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): a small pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trésor Bayebila Menanzambi ◽  
Patrice Dufour ◽  
Catherine Pirard ◽  
Jean Nsangu ◽  
Jean-Pierre Mufusama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Republic Of Congo

Abstract Background Environmental pollutants are known to be ubiquitous and may present toxic effects (endocrine-disruption properties, carcinogenicity …) and represent a real threat to human health. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the content of environmental pollutants (inorganic, persistent, and non-persistent pollutants) in biological samples (urine, serum, and whole blood), collected from volunteers in Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, in order to identify pollutants of interest and to design a protocol for a larger scale study. Methods From randomly selected 15 volunteers living in Kinshasa, aged from 25 to 66 years, (mean age = 43.4 years), including 10 men and 5 women, urine, whole blood, and serum samples were used in this study to estimate the contents in these environmental pollutants, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results When compared to data nationally and internationally available, the preliminary outcomes of this study indicated a very high level of exposure to environmental pollutants in the population of Kinshasa, especially for heavy metals, parabens and triclosan. To a lesser extent, contamination measured for glyphosate, phthalates, organochlorine pesticides, pyrethroids and dialkylphosphate pesticides was also significant. In contrast, the investigated population of Kinshasa was found to be weakly exposed to other persistent organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, phenolic organohalogens, and perfluoroalkyl substances. Conclusion Although the biologic fluids were collected from a limited number of volunteers (n = 15), the results of the present report clearly indicate that the population of Kinshasa is not spared by the investigated environmental pollutants. Moreover, this study gives us important information to design a larger scale study protocol.

scholarly journals High frequency of Taenia solium antigen positivity in patients admitted for neurological disorders in the Rural Hospital of Mosango, Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deby Mukendi ◽  
Jean-Roger Lilo Kalo ◽  
Pascal Lutumba ◽  
Barbara Barbé ◽  
Jan Jacobs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Rural Hospital ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Persistent Fever

Abstract Background The epidemiology of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is not well known in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within a multicenter etiological and diagnostic study conducted by the NIDIAG consortium (“Better Diagnosis for Neglected Infections”) and investigating several challenging syndromes, we consecutively evaluated from 2012 to 2015 all patients older than 5 years presenting with neurological disorders (neurology cohort) and with fever > 7 days (persistent fever cohort) at the rural hospital of Mosango, province of Kwilu, DRC. In both cohorts, etiological diagnosis relied on a systematic set of reference laboratory assays and on pre-established clinical case definitions. No neuroimaging was available in the study hospital. In this study, we determined the frequency of T. solium infection in both cohorts and explored in the neurology cohort its association with specific neurological presentations and final etiological diagnoses. Methods We conducted a post-hoc descriptive and analytic study on cysticercosis in the neurology and persistent fever cohorts, based on the presence in serum samples of circulating T. solium antigen using the B158/B60 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and of cysticercosis IgG using the LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot IgG assay. Results For the neurology cohort, 340 samples (of 351 enrolled patients) were available for analysis (males: 46.8%; mean age: 38.9 years). T. solium antigen positivity was found in 43 participants (12.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.3–16.7%), including 9 of 60 (15%) patients with epilepsy. Among the 148 samples available from the persistent fever cohort (males: 39.9%; mean age: 19.9 years), 7 were positive in the T. solium antigen ELISA (4.7%; 95% CI 1.9–9.5%; P = 0.009 when compared to the neurology cohort). No significant association was found within the neurology cohort between positivity and clinical presentation or final diagnoses. Of note, the IgG antibody-detecting assay was found positive in only four (1.3%) of the participants of the neurology cohort and in none of the persistent fever cohort. Conclusions T. solium antigen positivity was found in at least 10% of patients admitted with neurological disorders in the Kwilu province, DRC, with no specific pattern of presentation. Further neuroimaging studies should be used to confirm whether neurocysticercosis is prevalent in this region.

scholarly journals Community perceptions of epilepsy and its treatment in an onchocerciasis endemic region in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Housseini Dolo ◽  
Michel Mandro ◽  
Deogratias Wonya’Rossi ◽  
Francoise Ngave ◽  
Jessica Fraeyman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Republic Of Congo

scholarly journals Low prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites lacking pfhrp2/3 genes among asymptomatic and symptomatic school-age children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabin Nundu ◽  
Hiroaki Arima ◽  
Shirley Simpson ◽  
Ben-Yeddy Abel Chitama ◽  
Yannick Bazitama Munyeku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Gene Deletions ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background. Loss of efficacy of malaria diagnostic tests may lead to untreated or mistreated cases, compromising case management and control. There is an increasing reliance on rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), with the most widely used of these targeting the Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 gene. There are numerous reports of the deletion of this gene in P. falciparum parasites in some populations, rendering them undetectable by PfHRP2 RDTs. We aimed to identify P. falciparum parasites lacking the P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 and 3 genes isolated from asymptomatic and symptomatic school-age children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods. We assessed the performance of PfHRP2-based RDTs in comparison to microscopy and PCR. PCR was then used to identify parasite isolates lacking pfhrp2/3 genes. Results. Of 462 DNA samples analysed, deletions of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes were found in only three (2%) samples and one (1%) sample in the RDT positive subgroup, respectively. No parasites lacking the pfhrp2/3 genes were found in the RDT negative subgroup. Conclusion. Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2/3 gene deletions are uncommon in the surveyed population, and do not result in diagnostic failure. We encourage the use of rigorous PCR methods to identify pfhrp2/3 gene deletions in order to minimize the overestimation of their prevalence.

scholarly journals A Cluster of Plasmodium ovale Infections in Belgian Military Personnel after Deployment in Kindu, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Retrospective Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Diana Isabela Costescu Strachinaru ◽  
An Wauters ◽  
Marjan Van Esbroeck ◽  
Mihai Strachinaru ◽  
Peter Vanbrabant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Military Personnel ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Military Hospital ◽  
Plasmodium Ovale ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Specific Symptoms

Plasmodium ovale malaria is often neglected due to its less severe course compared to Plasmodium falciparum. In 2011–2012, Belgian Armed Forces identified a cluster of P. ovale cases among military personnel after deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In this retrospective, monocentric, observational study, clinical and biological features of soldiers diagnosed with P. ovale after deployment in DRC were reviewed. Species diagnosis was based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or thick blood smear. Medical records of 149 soldiers screened at the Queen Astrid Military Hospital after deployment were reviewed. Eight cases (seven P. ovale infections and one P. ovale—falciparum coinfection) were identified. All had positive thick smears, and seven were confirmed by PCR. Chemoprophylaxis was mefloquine in all subjects. Median time of disease onset was 101 days after return from the endemic region. Median delay between return and diagnosis was 103 days. All P. ovale bouts were uncomplicated. None had relapses after primaquine treatment. This military cohort highlights a hotspot of P. ovale in Eastern DRC. Non-specific symptoms, the less severe presentation, the lack of sensitive parasitological tools in the field and long delays between infection and symptoms probably lead to underestimation of P. ovale cases.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a real-time PCR assay for diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica in the domestic goat

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinghong Guo ◽  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Keke Zhou ◽  
Yugang Li ◽  
Laibao Tong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Schistosomiasis Japonica ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Endemic Region ◽  
Pcr Method

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis japonica is an infectious disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum that seriously endangers human health. Domestic animals have important roles in disease transmission and goats are considered a primary reservoir host and source of infection. The prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis infections have significantly decreased in China, and a more sensitive, specific detection method is urgently needed. The aim of this study was to develop a real-time PCR assay for accurate detection of S. japonicum infection in goats. Methods A real-time PCR method for detecting schistosomiasis japonica in goats was developed by amplification of a specific S. japonicum DNA fragment, and validated using a total of 94 negative and 159 positive plasma and serum samples collected in our previous study of S. japonicum infection. Both plasma and serum samples were evaluated by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, 120 goat plasma samples from an S. japonicum-endemic area (Wangjiang) and 33 from a non-endemic region (Weihai) were collected and evaluated using our method. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the real-time PCR for detecting infected samples were 98.74% (157/159, 95% CI: 95.53–99.85%) and 100% (94/94, 95% CI: 96.15–100%), respectively. For the ELISA, sensitivity and specificity were 98.11% (156/159, 95% CI: 94.59–99.61%) and 90.43% (85/94, 95% CI: 82.60–95.53%), respectively. Further, we found positivity rates for S. japonicum infection in Wangjiang and Weihai of 8.33% (10/120, 95% CI: 4.07–14.79%) and 0% (0/33, 95% CI: 0–10.58%), respectively. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that our real-time PCR method exhibits higher sensitivity and specificity than ELISA and is a useful method for detection of S. japonicum infection in goats.

scholarly journals Onchocerciasis Prevalence among Persons with Epilepsy in an Onchocerciasis Hypo-Endemic Area in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 389
Author(s):  
An Hotterbeekx ◽  
Kristien Verdonck ◽  
Deby Mukendi ◽  
Jean-Roger Lilo-Kalo ◽  
Pascal Lutumba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Congo

A high epilepsy prevalence has been reported in onchocerciasis meso- and hyper-endemic regions in sub-Saharan Africa, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We investigated whether onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy can also be suspected in onchocerciasis hypo-endemic regions. Stored serum samples from 342 patients admitted with recent onset neurological symptoms admitted to Mosango general hospital, in the Kwilu province, DRC, between 2012 and 2015 were screened for onchocerciasis (OV16) antibodies by ELISA and Taenia solium antigen (using an in-house B158/B60 antigen test). Eighty-one (23.7%; 95% CI 19.5–28.5%) of these samples were positive for OV16 antibodies and 43/340 (12.6%; 95% CI 9.5–16.6%) were positive for T. solium antigen. Of the 58 persons clinically diagnosed with late onset epilepsy of unknown etiology, 19 (32.8%) were OV16 positive and nine (16%) T. solium antigen positive. In total, 16 persons with epilepsy were OV16 positive and T. solium negative, of whom 12 (75%) were between the ages seven to 31 years old, an age rage in which onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy is observed. Our study suggests that in onchocerciasis hypo-endemic areas, in T. solium antigen negative persons with epilepsy, onchocerciasis should be considered as a potential trigger of epilepsy.

scholarly journals High frequency of Taenia solium antigen positivity in patients admitted for neurological disorders in the Rural Hospital of Mosango, Democratic Republic of Congo.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deby MUKENDI ◽  
Jean-Roger Lilo Kalo ◽  
Pascal Lutumba ◽  
Barbara Barbé ◽  
Jan Jacobs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Rural Hospital ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Persistent Fever

Abstract Background The epidemiology of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium , is not well known in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As part of an etiological study, we consecutively evaluated from 2012 to 2016 all patients older than 5 years admitted for neurological disorders (neurology cohort) at the rural hospital of Mosango, province of Kwilu, DRC. No neuroimaging was available. A similar study was conducted among patients presenting with persistent fever (> 7 days) during the same period in the same hospital. In both studies, etiological diagnosis relied on a systematic set of reference laboratory assays and on pre-established clinical case definitions. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to determine the frequency of T. solium infection in these neurology and persistent fever cohorts and to explore its association with specific neurological presentations and final etiological diagnoses. Methods We conducted a descriptive and analytic study between the group of neurological syndrome patients and persistent fever based on the presence or not the cysticercosis IgG using the B158/B60 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and of the LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot IgG assay, respectively.. Results For the neurology cohort, 340 samples (of 351 enrolled patients) were available for analysis (males: 46.8%; mean age: 38.9 years). T. solium antigen positivity was found in 43 participants (12.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.3-16.7%), including 9 of 60 (15%) patients with epilepsy. Of the 148 evaluated samples from the persistent fever cohort (males: 39.9%; mean age: 19.9 years), 7 had positive T. solium antigen (4.7%; 95% CI 1.9-9.5%; P=0.009 when compared to the neurology cohort). No significant association was found within the neurology cohort between positivity and clinical presentation or final diagnoses. Of note, the antibody-based assay was found positive in only four (1.3%) of the participants of the neurology cohort and in none of the persistent fever cohort. Conclusions T. solium antigen positivity was frequent in patients admitted with neurological disorders in the Kwilu province, DRC. Further neuroimaging studies should explore whether neurocysticercosis is prevalent in this region.

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