Article
Immunology
Angelica F. Tan, Sitti Saimah Binti Sakam, Giri S. Rajahram, Timothy William, Mohammad Faruq Abd Rachman Isnadi, Sylvia Daim, Bridget E. Barber, Steven Kho, Colin J. Sutherland, Nicholas M. Anstey, Seda Yerlikaya, Donelly A. van Schalkwyk, Matthew J. Grigg
Summary: The study evaluated ten rapid diagnostic tests for detection of P. knowlesi, with some tests showing sufficient performance for detecting major human malaria species (including P. knowlesi) in co-endemic areas, particularly for higher parasite counts. However, these tests cannot reliably differentiate non-falciparum malaria.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
John Diaz, Cody Gusto, Kaci McCoy, Colby Silvert, Joseph A. Bala, Joseph Atibu, Antoinette Tshefu, Melchior Mwandagalirwa, Rhoel R. Dinglasan
Summary: A cross-sectoral collaboration developed a new non-invasive saliva-based rapid diagnostic test that can confirm subclinical infections without the need for blood samples. The acceptability and adoption potential of this test were assessed in Kinshasa Province, and the results showed that participants were interested in and supportive of the test due to its sensitivity and ease of use. Overall, this saliva-based rapid test shows promise in the field and has a high potential for application.
Article
Infectious Diseases
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
Summary: In this study conducted in Kinshasa, it was found that uRDTs are slightly more sensitive in detecting malaria in pregnant women compared to RDTs, with a higher sensitivity observed at lower parasite densities. Microscopy has a limited value in the diagnosis of malaria during pregnancy due to its lower sensitivity. Malaria in pregnant women poses risks to both the women and their offspring, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Article
Immunology
Abalinda M. Gorret, Rabbison Muhindo, Emma Baguma, Moses Ntaro, Edgar M. Mulogo, Molly Deutsch-Feldman, Jonathan J. Juliano, Dan Nyehangane, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: A study conducted in western Uganda found that malaria rapid diagnostic tests perform similarly in diagnosing children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, whether using capillary or venous blood, with high sensitivity, specificity, and agreement between sample types. Only a few tests would have led to a different clinical diagnosis when following the manufacturer's recommended interpretation.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aymen M. Madkhali, Ahmad Hassn Ghzwani, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi
Summary: This cross-sectional study evaluated the performances of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), microscopy, and nested PCR for diagnosing P. falciparum malaria in febrile patients from Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The results showed that RDT had higher sensitivity, similar specificity, and better NLR and AUC compared to microscopy when nested PCR was used as the reference. The sensitivity of both RDT and microscopy decreased with age and low parasite density, and RDT and microscopy had higher sensitivity in non-Saudi participants. Against microscopy, both RDT and PCR had high sensitivity, specificity, and NPVs, but reduced PPVs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Katherine O'Flaherty, Win Han Oo, Sophie G. Zaloumis, Julia C. Cutts, Kyaw Zayar Aung, Myat Mon Thein, Damien R. Drew, Zahra Razook, Alyssa E. Barry, Naanki Parischa, Nyi Nyi Zaw, Htin Kyaw Thu, Aung Thi, Wai Yan Min Htay, Aung Paing Soe, Julie A. Simpson, James G. Beeson, Paul A. Agius, Freya J. I. Fowkes
Summary: In the Greater Mekong Subregion, integrating molecular and serological surveillance techniques into the network of village health volunteers has shown to capture significant levels of undetected seasonal malaria transmission. Antibody seropositivity may play a role in protecting against molecular-detectable Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hongru Pian, Mingzhu Yang, Xiaodong Sun, Zhi Zheng
Summary: To prevent and eliminate malaria, mass screening of asymptomatic infections in low malaria-endemic regions is essential but challenging. Traditional molecular diagnostic strategies are not suitable for low-resource settings and lack sensitivity and throughput. We developed a novel SHB-LAMP technology that is high-throughput, sensitive, rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly for RNA target detection without the need for RNA extraction or reverse transcription. SHB-LAMP has a better limit of detection compared to other LAMP or PCR-based assays and can screen a large number of samples within a short time.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Biology
Claudia A. Vera-Arias, Aurel Holzschuh, Colins O. Oduma, Kingsley Badu, Mutala Abdul-Hakim, Joshua Yukich, Manuel W. Hetzel, Bakar S. Fakih, Abdullah Ali, Marcelo U. Ferreira, Simone Ladeia-Andrade, Fabian E. Saenz, Yaw Afrane, Endalew Zemene, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, James W. Kazura, Guiyun Yan, Cristian Koepfli
Summary: A novel assay for molecular surveillance of hrp2/hrp3 deletions was developed based on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The assay was able to accurately quantify hrp2, hrp3, and a control gene. A comparison with the conventional nested PCR (nPCR) assay showed that ddPCR had a higher accuracy in detecting hrp2 deletions. Screening of 830 samples from different locations revealed pronounced differences in the prevalence of hrp2 and hrp3 deletions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maxmillian Mpina, Thomas C. Stabler, Tobias Schindler, Jose Raso, Anna Deal, Ludmila Acuche Pupu, Elizabeth Nyakarungu, Maria del Carmen Ovono Davis, Vicente Urbano, Ali Mtoro, Ali Hamad, Maria Silvia A. Lopez, Beltran Pasialo, Marta Alene Owono Eyang, Matilde Riloha Rivas, Carlos Cortes Falla, Guillermo A. Garcia, Juan Carlos Momo, Raul Chuquiyauri, Elizabeth Saverino, L. W. Preston Church, B. Kim Lee Sim, Bonifacio Manguire, Marcel Tanner, Carl Maas, Salim Abdulla, Peter F. Billingsley, Stephen L. Hoffman, Said Jongo, Thomas L. Richie, Claudia A. Daubenberger
Summary: This study compared the performance of an ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (uRDT), a conventional RDT (cRDT), and microscopy in detecting low density malaria infections. The results showed that uRDT and microscopy were more sensitive than cRDT but did not match the sensitivity of qPCR.
Article
Virology
Julie De Meyer, Hanne Goris, Olivier Mortele, An Spiessens, Guy Hans, Hilde Jansens, Herman Goossens, Veerle Matheeussen, Sarah Vandamme
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the performance characteristics of saliva as a matrix for SARS-CoV-2 detection and compare it with nasopharyngeal swabs. The results showed that saliva had high specificity and negative predictive value in RT-PCR testing. However, both saliva rapid antigen tests had low sensitivity and negative predictive value.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ewoud Schuit, Roderick P. Venekamp, Irene K. Veldhuijzen, Wouter van den Bijllaardt, Suzan D. Pas, Joep J. J. M. Stohr, Esther B. Lodder, Marloes Hellwich, Richard Molenkamp, Zsofia Igloi, Constantijn Wijers, Irene H. Vroom, Carla R. S. Nagel-Imming, Wanda G. H. Han, Jan A. J. W. Kluytmans, Susan van den Hof, Janneke H. H. M. van de Wijgert, Karel G. M. Moons
Summary: This study examined the diagnostic accuracy of self-performed SARS-CoV-2 saliva and nasal antigen rapid diagnostic tests in the general population. The results showed that the saliva test had low accuracy, while the nasal test had high sensitivity in individuals with symptoms and without prior infection but low sensitivity in asymptomatic individuals and those with prior infection.
Article
Immunology
George O. Adjei, Abdul M. Sulley, Bamenla Q. Goka, Christabel Enweronu-Laryea, Lorna Renner, Michael Alifrangis, Jorgen A. L. Kurtzhals
Summary: The accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria diagnosis in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) was evaluated in this study. The HRP-2-based RDTs showed high sensitivity but lower specificity, making them suitable for initiating treatment in cases with unclear symptoms. The LDH-based RDTs were more suitable as a confirmatory test in low-parasitemic subgroups.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Fatema Tuj Johora, Mohammad Golam Kibria, Hans-Peter Fuehrer, Mohammad Shafiul Alam
Summary: The article highlights the importance of Plasmodium malariae, points out the limitations and possible failures of rapid diagnostic tests, and emphasizes the necessity to develop analytically sensitive test kits for P. malariae.
Article
Biology
Maqsood Hayat, Muhammad Tahir, Fawaz Khaled Alarfaj, Ryan Alturki, Foziah Gazzawe
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum causes malaria and accurate prediction of the parasite is crucial for effective treatment. Automated parasite detection technologies are in high demand due to the complexities and potential errors of manual diagnosis.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Johan Nordgren, Sumit Sharma, Henrik Olsson, Mikael Jamtberg, Tina Falkeborn, Lennart Svensson, Marie Hagbom
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of two rapid antigen tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections, with Panbio test showing 100% specificity but lower sensitivity, and Orient gene test having higher sensitivity but lower specificity. The research also revealed that these antigen tests have high sensitivity in detecting samples containing infectious viruses.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ethics
Sarah J. L. Edwards, Blessing Silaigwana, Danny Asogun, Julius Mugwagwa, Francine Ntoumi, Rashid Ansumana, Kevin Bardosh, Jennyfer Ambe
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significant role of ethics and community engagement in clinical research during infectious disease outbreaks. The current practices in Africa need to better recognize cultural sensitivities, socio-political context, and the interests of the recruited communities. By drawing on anthropology and collaborating with other social scientists and humanities professionals, the ethics of biomedical and pharmaceutical research in Africa can be improved.
DEVELOPING WORLD BIOETHICS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Abraham J. Kandathil, Sarah E. Benner, Evan M. Bloch, Ruchee Shrestha, Olivia Ajayi, Xianming Zhu, Patrizio P. Caturegli, Shmuel Shoham, David Sullivan, Kelly Gebo, Thomas C. Quinn, Arturo Casadevall, Daniel Hanley, Andrew Pekosz, Andrew D. Redd, Ashwin Balagopal, Aaron A. R. Tobian
Summary: By characterizing the DNA and RNA virome of potential CCP donors, it was found that there is no evidence of pathogenic viruses in CCP, despite the presence of non-pathogenic Anelloviridae. These results support the safety of CCP.
Article
Development Studies
Rick Welsh, Elizabeth A. Pickard, Sadie J. Ryan, Joseph H. Bisesi, Joseph Makaure, Donald J. Stewart, David A. Larsen
Summary: This study explores the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) as a means to kill mosquitoes in the 1980s. The World Health Organization later distributed these nets freely, but in regions where fishing is economically important, the nets have been repurposed for fishing, resulting in negative effects on the fisheries. Using the Normal Accident Framework and Weber's concepts of bureaucratic and traditional authority, this research examines how local actors respond to this unintended consequence.
SOCIETY & NATURAL RESOURCES
(2023)
Letter
Hematology
Daniele Focosi, Jonathon W. Senefeld, Michael J. Joyner, David Sullivan, Arturo Casadevall, Evan M. Bloch, Massimo Franchini
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adriano Franco, Yevel Flores-Garcia, Fidel Zavala, David J. Sullivan
Summary: In the acidic lysosome-like digestive vacuole, Plasmodium parasites crystallize heme from hemoglobin into hemozoin, or malaria pigment. Upon release of progeny merozoites, the residual hemozoin is phagocytized by macrophages principally in the liver and spleen where the heme crystals can persist for months to years, as heme oxygenase does not readily degrade the crystal. Hemozoin modulation of monocytes and macrophages has been demonstrated in previous studies. This study shows that purified washed hemozoin decreases P. berghei liver levels and provides innate immune protection against Plasmodium liver stages.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Tieble Traore, Sarah Shanks, Najmul Haider, Kanza Ahmed, Vageesh Jain, Simon R. Ruegg, Ahmed Razavi, Richard Kock, Ngozi Erondu, Afifah Rahman-Shepherd, Alexei Yavlinsky, Leonard Mboera, Danny Asogun, Timothy McHugh, Linzy Elton, Oyeronke Oyebanji, Oyeladun Okunromade, Rashid Ansumana, Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Yahaya Ali Ahmed, Amadou Bailo Diallo, Thierno Balde, Ambrose Talisuna, Francine Ntoumi, Alimuddin Zumla, David Heymann, Ibrahima Soce Fall, Osman Dar
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings of current assessments of preparedness and response capacities for public health emergencies. Existing frameworks lack consideration for complex factors such as social, economic, political, regulatory, and ecological aspects. One Health provides a valuable approach to analyze existing assessment frameworks and propose new paths forward by focusing on the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and ecosystems. To effectively address the range of complex systems involved in health emergencies, assessments should take into account how stakeholders define problems and the socio-political environments in which structures and institutions operate. The current frameworks inadequately consider anthropogenic factors in disease emergence and fail to address the full range of health security hazards across the social-ecological system. It is crucial for health security assessment frameworks to adhere to core One Health principles, prioritize capacity building, and evaluate interventions and outcomes in terms of added value, trade-offs, and co-benefits across human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Robert T. Jones, Scott J. Tytheridge, Samuel J. Smith, Rebecca S. Levine, Mary H. Hodges, Rashid Ansumana, Sophie Wulff, Jimmy Whitworth, James G. Logan
Summary: Sierra Leone is vulnerable to various vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, tsetse flies, black flies, and other vectors. While malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis are the most prominent threats, there is also evidence of undiagnosed and unreported diseases like chikungunya and dengue. Limited understanding, lack of entomological testing, and insufficient investment in surveillance are restricting the capacity to predict outbreaks and plan appropriate responses.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
David J. Sullivan, Massimo Franchini, Jonathon W. Senefeld, Michael J. Joyner, Arturo Casadevall, Daniele Focosi
ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Peter O. Dunn, Insiyaa Ahmed, Elise Armstrong, Natasha Barlow, Malcolm A. Barnard, Marc Belisle, Thomas J. Benson, Lisha L. Berzins, Chloe K. Boynton, T. Anders Brown, Melissa Cady, Kyle Cameron, Xuan Chen, Robert G. Clark, Ethan D. Clotfelter, Kara Cromwell, Russell D. Dawson, Elsie Denton, Andrew Forbes, Kendrick Fowler, Kevin C. Fraser, Kamal J. K. Gandhi, Dany Garant, Megan Hiebert, Claire Houchen, Jennifer Houtz, Tara L. Imlay, Brian D. Inouye, David W. Inouye, Michelle Jackson, Andrew P. Jacobson, Kristin Jayd, Christy Juteau, Andrea Kautz, Caroline Killian, Elliot Kinnear, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kirk Larsen, Andrew Laughlin, Valerie Levesque-Beaudin, Ryan Leys, Elizabeth Long, Stephen C. Lougheed, Stuart Mackenzie, Jen Marangelo, Colleen Miller, Brenda Molano-Flores, Christy A. Morrissey, Emony Nicholls, Jessica M. Orlofske, Ian S. Pearse, Fanie Pelletier, Amber L. Pitt, Joseph P. Poston, Danielle M. Racke, Jeannine A. Randall, Matthew L. Richardson, Olivia Rooney, A. Rose Ruegg, Scott Rush, Sadie J. Ryan, Mitchell Sadowski, Ivana Schoepf, Lindsay Schulz, Brenna Shea, Thomas N. Sheehan, Lynn Siefferman, Derek Sikes, Mark Stanback, John D. Styrsky, Conor C. Taff, Jennifer J. Uehling, Kathleen Uvino, Thomas Wassmer, Kathryn Weglarz, Megan Weinberger, John Wenzel, Linda A. Whittingham
Summary: Climate change models often assume similar responses to temperatures across species, but this study found regional differences in the phenology and response to temperature among insect taxa in grassy habitats across North America. The study highlights the need to consider regional and taxonomic differences in predicting changes in insect populations in response to temperature.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
David J. Sullivan, Massimo Franchini, Jonathon W. Senefeld, Michael J. Joyner, Arturo Casadevall, Daniele Focosi
Summary: Recent 2022 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants show resistance to authorized monoclonal antibodies, particularly the BQ.1.* sublineages. However, polyclonal antibodies from vaccinated or recently recovered individuals retain neutralizing activity against Omicron. A study analyzing patient samples from boosted vaccine cohorts and infection cases found that over 90% of plasma samples neutralized BQ.1.1 and BF.7, with complete neutralization of other variants. Plasma from COVID-19-naive subjects who received a third vaccine dose showed lower neutralization titres compared to VaxCCP. Boosted VaxCCP, either through recent vaccination or infection within 6 months, provides a robust and variant-resilient source of neutralizing antibodies against Omicron BQ.1.1, XBB.1, and BF.7 variants.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Catherine A. Lippi, Samuel S. C. Rund, Sadie J. Ryan
Summary: Increasing research focus on vector-borne diseases has led to a growing body of information in various formats and data types. However, the scope and accessibility of this data can be unclear, leading to gaps in access and interoperability. This study provides an overview of current vector data efforts, assessing their level of accessibility and commenting on interoperability issues.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Najmul Haider, Mohammad Nayeem Hasan, Ibrahim Khalil, Daniel Tonge, Shivanand Hegde, Muhammad Abdul Baker Chowdhury, Mahbubur Rahman, Manjur Hossain Khan, Rashid Ansumana, Alimuddin Zumla, Md Jamal Uddin
Summary: Bangladesh reported the highest number of annual deaths (n = 281) related to dengue virus infection in 2022 since the virus reappeared in the country in 2000. The 2022 outbreak is characterized by late onset of dengue cases with unusually higher deaths in colder months, and possible explanations include delayed rainfall, increased temperature, and the emergence of a new dengue virus serotype. Community engagement and regular monitoring and destruction of mosquito habitats are crucial for controlling dengue virus outbreaks in Bangladesh.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sadie J. Ryan, Catherine A. Lippi, Oswaldo C. Villena, Aspen Singh, Courtney C. Murdock, Leah R. Johnson
Summary: Global maps of thermal transmission suitability and people at risk for malaria transmission by Anopheles stephensi were created, revealing the rapid increase of transmission risk in Africa. This study provides important references for future prevention, control, and monitoring.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shreejana Bhattarai, Jason K. Blackburn, Sadie J. Ryan
Summary: Despite intervention efforts, stable and new high and moderate malaria risk wards persist in Nepal, particularly in the northwest and southwest regions. These areas should be prioritized for malaria surveillance and vector control, and further research is needed to understand the reasons for persistent risk areas.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Robert J. Fletcher Jr, Maria E. Iezzi, Robert Guralnick, Andrew J. Marx, Sadie J. Ryan, Denis Valle
Summary: Dispersal typically consists of three components-departure, transience and settlement, each of which is influenced by the landscape. However, models of landscape connectivity often do not generate dispersal kernels nor explicitly capture the three components of dispersal.
