Schistosomiasis: from established diagnostic assays to emerging micro/nanotechnology-based rapid field testing for clinical management and epidemiology

Nigo, Maurice M; Salieb-Beugelaar, Georgette B.; Battegay, Manuel; Odermatt, Peter; Hunziker, Patrick

doi:10.33218/prnano3(1).191205.1

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 135 publications

(132 reference statements)

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“…POC–CCA showed some cross–reactivity with intestinal nematodes and other health conditions, and therefore might overestimate the prevalence [ 74 , 75 ]. New diagnostic test modalities on the horizon may contribute to improving our understanding of the relative values of different diagnostic tests [ 76 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ituri Province, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

et al. 2021

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Background Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma mansoni, is of great significance to public health in sub–Saharan Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), information on the burden of S. mansoni infection is scarce, which hinders the implementation of adequate control measures. We assessed the geographical distribution of S. mansoni infection across Ituri province in north-eastern DRC and determined the prevailing risk factors. Methods/Principal findings Two province–wide, community–based studies were conducted. In 2016, a geographical distribution study was carried out in 46 randomly selected villages across Ituri. In 2017, an in–depth study was conducted in 12 purposively–selected villages, across the province. Households were randomly selected, and members were enrolled. In 2016, one stool sample was collected per participant, while in 2017, several samples were collected per participant. S. mansoni eggs were detected using the Kato–Katz technique. In 2017, a point–of–care circulating cathodic S. mansoni antigen (POC–CCA) urine test was the second used diagnostic approach. Household and individual questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, behavioural and knowledge risk factors. Of the 2,131 participants in 2016, 40.0% were positive of S. mansoni infection. Infection prevalence in the villages ranged from 0 to 90.2%. Of the 707 participants in 2017, 73.1% were tested positive for S. mansoni. Prevalence ranged from 52.8 to 95.0% across the health districts visited. Infection prevalence increased from north to south and from west to east. Exposure to the waters of Lake Albert and the villages’ altitude above sea level were associated with the distribution. Infection prevalence and intensity peaked in the age groups between 10 and 29 years. Preschool children were highly infected (62.3%). Key risk factors were poor housing structure (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–4.35), close proximity to water bodies (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.1–2.49), long-term residence in a community (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11–1.79), lack of latrine in the household (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11–3.60), and swimming (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.20–5.32) and washing (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.10–2.78) in local water bodies. Conclusions/Significance Our results show that S. mansoni is highly endemic and a major health concern in Ituri province, DRC. Infection prevalence and intensity, and the prevailing socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioural risk factors in Ituri reflect intense exposure and alarming transmission rates. A robust plan of action is urgently needed in the province.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ituri Province, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

et al. 2021

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“…By contrast, studies on trematodes are scare and mostly focused on worm locomotion mechanistics [36]. In parallel, progress has been made on the use of microfluidics for the detection of the parasites in human fluid either by microfluidic PCR, antigen identification or egg isolation [56]. The application of microfluidic technologies to the study of adult worm couple viability and fertility, or the evaluation of drug effects remains to be explored.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A self-purifying microfluidic system for identifying drugs acting against adult schistosomes

et al. 2022

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The discovery of novel antihelmintic molecules to combat the development and spread of schistosomiasis, a disease caused by several Schistosoma flatworm species, mobilizes significant research efforts worldwide. With a limited number of biochemical assays for measuring the viability of adult worms, the antischistosomicidal activity of molecules is usually evaluated by a microscopic observation of worm mobility and/or integrity upon drug exposure. Even if these phenotypical assays enable multiple parameters analysis, they are often conducted during several days and need to be associated with image-based analysis to minimized subjectivity. We describe here a self-purifying microfluidic system enabling the selection of healthy adult worms and the identification of molecules acting instantly on the parasite. The worms are assayed in a dynamic environment that eliminates unhealthy worms that cannot attach firmly to the chip walls prior to being exposed to the drug. The detachment of the worms is also used as second step readout for identifying active compounds. We have validated this new fluidic screening approach using the two major antihelmintic drugs, praziquantel and artemisinin. The reported dynamic system is simple to produce and to parallelize. Importantly, it enables a quick and sensitive detection of antischistosomal compounds in no more than one hour.

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“…Some basic systems have been reported for the study of the free-living C. elegans worm, a model that offers convenience, low cost and molecular-genetic tools [7]. Working on whole parasitic species is necessary to identify new therapeutic targets [8] but the scientific literature reports very few studies on trematodes with most focused on the detection of the parasites in human fluid either by microfluidic PCR, antigen identification or egg isolation [9]. The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute is developing an 'infected body-on-a-chip' microfluidic platform for antischistosomal drug discovery using electrical impedance spectroscopy for biosensing, while ETH Zurich developed a viability assay designed for the larval schistosomula stage using a microfluidic impedance-based system [10,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microfluidic Culture Model for Drug Screening on Schistosome Parasites

Girod

Ghoris

Vicogne

et al. 2021

2021 IEEE 34th International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)

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Schistosomiasis is a challenging parasitic model due to the absence of transgenic strains and systems allowing maintenance of heathy worms outside of their host (mammals). Classical in vitro studies (Petri dish) do not allow long-term survival of worm couples with retention of basic biological functions like mobility and pairing. We have designed a microfluidic device that sustainably cultivates adult worm couples. The influences of the composition and physical characteristics of mass flow on the mobility, pairing and long-term survival of worms have been studied. We have also assessed the effect of Praziquantel, the only therapeutic molecule currently in use.

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Schistosomiasis: from established diagnostic assays to emerging micro/nanotechnology-based rapid field testing for clinical management and epidemiology

Cited by 9 publications

References 135 publications

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ituri Province, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ituri Province, north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

A self-purifying microfluidic system for identifying drugs acting against adult schistosomes

Microfluidic Culture Model for Drug Screening on Schistosome Parasites

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