Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonas Yimam, Mehdi Mohebali, Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of a new ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (us-RDT) and a conventional rapid diagnostic test (co-RDT) for detecting malaria. The results showed that us-RDT had higher sensitivity, especially in asymptomatic individuals and low transmission areas.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jung Ho Kim, Jiyeon Suh, Woon Ji Lee, Heun Choi, Jong-Dae Kim, Changsoo Kim, Jun Yong Choi, Ryeojin Ko, Heewon Kim, Jeehyun Lee, Joon Sup Yeom
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of introducing rapid diagnostic tests on the incidence and medical costs of Plasmodium vivax malaria in South Korea, finding that RDTs can significantly reduce malaria incidence and save medical costs. Cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that RDT implementation is more beneficial than using microscopy alone, supporting the widespread adoption of RDTs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephen Okoboi, Barbara Castelnuovo, Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden, Oucul Lazarus, Lung Vu, Sam Kalibala, Yvonne Kamara, Perez N. Ochanda, Rachel King, Andrew Mujugira
Summary: Distribution of HIV self-testing kits through MSM peer networks is a cost-effective strategy to increase HIV testing coverage in high-risk populations, leading to the identification of more undiagnosed HIV infections. The cost per new HIV diagnosis and cost per transmission averted were lower for the intervention approach compared to standard-of-care hotspot testing, making it a more efficient option for HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Aaron M. Samuels, Oliver Towett, Brian Seda, Ryan E. Wiegand, Kephas Otieno, Miriam Chomba, Naomi Lucchi, Dragan Ljolje, Kammerle Schneider, Patrick Gt, Titus K. Kwambai, Laurence Slutsker, Feiko O. Ter Kuile, Simon K. Kariuki
Summary: Screening pregnant women for malaria using new point-of-care tests showed moderate improvement in detecting low-density infections compared to conventional rapid diagnostic tests (cRDTs).
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Diwaba Carmel Teou, Ameyo Monique Dorkenoo, Essoham Ataba, Smaila Alidou, Kossi Yakpa, Agueregna Abdou-Kerim, Issaka Maman, Amegnona Agbonon
Summary: The study evaluated the diagnostic performance of Advantage P.f. Malaria Card (R) and Advantage Malaria Pan + Pf Card (R) in Togo, showing that they have acceptable sensitivity and specificity for malaria diagnosis and can be used under field conditions in the country.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mandella King, Alexander E. George, Pau Cistero, Christine K. Tarr-Attia, Beatriz Arregui, Senga Omeonga, Haily Chen, Ana Meyer Garcia-Sipido, Adelaida Sarukhan, Quique Bassat, Dawoh Peter Lansana, Alfredo Mayor
Summary: A study conducted in Monrovia, Liberia found no evidence of false-negative RDT results due to pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions, indicating that these deletions are not expected to affect the performance of PfHRP2-based RDTs for malaria diagnosis in Liberia. Surveillance for the emergence of PfHRP2 deletions is still required to ensure accurate malaria diagnosis.
Article
Parasitology
Weidong Li, Xinzhou Zhang, Jun Feng, Tao Zhang, Xian Xu, Jingjing Jiang, Shuqi Wang, Xiaofeng Lyu, Shizhu Li, Manman Lu
Summary: The combination of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy as a malaria surveillance strategy can increase the sensitivity of detecting cases, especially for detecting Plasmodium falciparum infections. However, microscopy showed better specificity and consistency with the gold standard results, indicating the need to consider different diagnostic tools in field practice.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Talia Santana Machado de Assis, Mariana Lourenco Freire, Janaina de Pina Carvalho, Ana Rabello, Glaucia Cota
Summary: This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody diagnostic tests for COVID-19 in Brazil. The results showed that LFAs are more cost-effective in low COVID-19 prevalence scenarios, while ELISAs are more cost-effective in high prevalence scenarios.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Oloma Tshomba, Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka, Anja De Weggheleire, Olivier M. Tshiani, Charles T. Kayembe, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Faustin M. Chenge, Bart Karl M. Jacobs, Dieudonne N. Mumba, Desire D. Tshala-Katumbay, Sabue Mulangu
Summary: This study evaluates the efficiency of incorporating Ebola prediction scores and rapid diagnostic tests into the screening algorithm during an outbreak. The findings suggest that using the conditional test algorithm and the dual conditional test with the rapid diagnostic test can lower the number of confirmation tests and overall care costs during an Ebola epidemic.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andrew G. Kantor, Christine F. Markwalter, Armin Nourani, David W. Wright
Summary: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are crucial for malaria elimination campaigns, but their sensitivity is limited. AnDREW, an Antibody-free Dual-biomarker Rapid Enrichment Workflow, purifies HRP2 and PLDH from larger blood samples, significantly improving detection sensitivity. By utilizing aptamers and optimizing capture and elution processes, AnDREW enhances RDTs by eluting both biomarkers without the need for complexed antibodies.
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Economics
Madeline Adee, Huaiyang Zhong, Elena Ivanova Reipold, Yueran Zhuo, Sonjelle Shilton, Jagpreet Chhatwal
Summary: A study found that using a core antigen (cAg)-based HCV rapid diagnostic test can improve diagnosis rates, save costs, and have a significant impact on the feasibility of HCV elimination.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Debbie Nolder, Lindsay Stewart, Julie Tucker, Amy Ibrahim, Adam Gray, Tumena Corrah, Carmel Gallagher, Laurence John, Edel O'Brien, Dinesh Aggarwal, Ernest Diez Benavente, Donelly van Schalkwyk, Gisela Henriques, Nuno Sepulveda, Susana Campino, Peter Chiodini, Colin Sutherland, Khalid B. Beshir
Summary: The study systematically investigated false-negative histidine-rich protein 2 rapid diagnostic tests (HRP2-RDT) in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases and found deletions in pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes leading to false negatives. The findings highlight the importance of combining RDT results with microscopy and clinical observations for accurate diagnosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Biao Xu, Bo Tu, Fang Chu, Mohamed Jalloh, Jin-Song Mu, Jun-Jie Zheng, Wei-Wei Chen
Summary: Despite the wide use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in clinical practice, there are challenges that may lead to false-negative results, such as low parasite density, improper storage, operation, and interpretation, as well as deletions in specific genes of the Plasmodium parasite. The study shows that currently available malaria RDTs may produce false-negative results in practice.
MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Celestin Danwang, Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou, Sekou Samadoulougou
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the newly developed ultrasensitive Plasmodium falciparum malaria RDT with the conventional RDT in the same field conditions. The ultrasensitive RDT showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity compared to the conventional RDT.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sue Binder, Carl H. Campbell, Jennifer D. Castleman, Nupur Kittur, Safari M. Kinung'hi, Annette Olsen, Pascal Magnussen, Diana M. S. Karanja, Pauline N. M. Mwinzi, Susan P. Montgomery, William Evan Secor, Anna E. Phillips, Neerav Dhanani, Pedro H. Gazzinelli-Guimaraes, Michelle N. Clements, Eliezer K. N'Goran, Aboulaye Meite, Jurg Utzinger, Amina A. Hamidou, Amadou Garba, Fiona M. Fleming, Christopher C. Whalen, Charles H. King, Daniel G. Colley
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Anthony K. Mbonye, Phyllis Awor, Miriam Kayendeke, Kristian S. Hansen, Pascal Magnussen, Sian E. Clarke
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Matilda Aberese-Ako, Pascal Magnussen, Margaret Gyapong, Gifty D. Ampofo, Harry Tagbor
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chiara Trevisan, Inge Damme, Bernard Ngowi, Veronika Schmidt, Dominik Stelzle, Karen Moller, Mwemezi Kabululu, Charles Makasi, Pascal Magnussen, Emmanuel Bottieau, Emmanuel Abatih, Maria Johansen, Helena Ngowi, Benedict Ndawi, Kabemba Mwape, Gideon Zulu, Pierre Dorny, Andrea Winkler, Sarah Gabriel
Summary: The study describes a two-stage trial design to evaluate a newly developed rapid point-of-care test for detecting taeniosis and neurocysticercosis in three district hospitals in Tanzania. Different testing protocols were developed for patients with specific neurological signs and symptoms, complaints compatible with intestinal worm infections, and other symptoms. The study used a Bayesian approach to determine test accuracy and a composite case definition as the reference standard for neurocysticercosis. If successful, the study will contribute to the future commercialization and implementation of the rapid test, improving patient management and disease prevention.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Inge Van Damme, Chiara Trevisan, Kabemba E. Mwape, Veronika Schmidt, Pascal Magnussen, Gideon Zulu, Chishimba Mubanga, Dominik Stelzle, Emmanuel Bottieau, Emmanuel Abatih, Isaac K. Phiri, Maria Johansen, Chishala Chabala, Andrea S. Winkler, Pierre Dorny, Sarah Gabriel
Summary: This study describes the design, challenges, and rationale of a diagnostic accuracy study for Taenia solium in low-resource community settings in Zambia. The two-stage design aimed to increase efficiency by reducing the number of samples, clinical examinations, and CT scans, considering the difficulties of conducting clinical trials in limited research and neuroimaging infrastructure settings.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Virtue Fiawokome De-Gaulle, Pascal Magnussen, Joseph Kamgno, Wilfred Mbacham, Verner N. Orish, Harry Tagbor
Summary: A quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in the Volta Region of Ghana assessed the health system factors affecting access and delivery of IPTp-SP and ITN to eligible pregnant women attending ANC clinic sessions. Results showed that while IPTp-SP was appropriately delivered to most eligible pregnant women, there were still cases where women did not receive the intervention. Additionally, ITNs were less likely to be appropriately delivered, and some eligible women did not receive the intervention even when stock was available.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matilda Aberese-Ako, Pascal Magnussen, Gifty D. Ampofo, Margaret Gyapong, Evelyn Ansah, Harry Tagbor
Summary: Health system factors, women's trust in the health care system, inadequate information, stock-outs, fees charged for ANC services, encouragement from social networks, and individual factors such as refusal to take SP, skipping ANC appointments, and initiating ANC attendance late all influence the uptake of optimum doses of IPTp-SP. Interventions should focus on improving supply of SP, implementing free ANC services effectively, providing adequate information, and promoting early and regular ANC visits through community outreach programs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chishimba Mubanga, Inge Van Damme, Chiara Trevisan, Veronika Schmidt, Isaac K. Phiri, Gideon Zulu, John Noh, Sukwan Handali, Richard Mambo, Mwelwa Chembensofu, Maxwell Masuku, Dries Reynders, Famke Jansen, Emmanuel Bottieau, Pascal Magnussen, Andrea S. Winkler, Pierre Dorny, Kabemba E. Mwape, Sarah Gabriel
Summary: The study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the new TS POC CC test in the Sinda district in eastern Zambia, showing a sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 87%. Current diagnostic performance needs to be further improved.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chishimba Mubanga, Chiara Trevisan, Inge Van Damme, Veronika Schmidt, Isaac K. Phiri, Gideon Zulu, John Noh, Sukwan Handali, Richard Mambo, Mwelwa Chembensofu, Maxwell Masuku, Dries Reynders, Famke Jansen, Emmanuel Bottieau, Pascal Magnussen, Andrea S. Winkler, Pierre Dorny, Kabemba E. Mwape, Sarah Gabriel
Summary: Diagnosing Taenia solium taeniosis is challenging due to sub-optimal and expensive tests that require sophisticated equipment and trained manpower. A newly developed TS POC test was evaluated for diagnostic accuracy, showing varying performance and recommending improvements in sensitivity or test redesign.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Virtue Fiawokome De-Gaulle, Joseph Kamgno, Verner N. Orish, Agnes Kotoh, Wilfred Mbacham, Harry Tagbor, Pascal Magnussen
Summary: This study investigates the contextual health system factors influencing the delivery of intermittent preventive treatment using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Ghana. The findings reveal that inadequate training of health staff on malaria delivery directives, confusion among health workers on when to commence IPTp-SP, and stock-outs of SP and ITNs in facilities are major challenges affecting the delivery of these interventions to eligible pregnant women attending antenatal care.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Matilda Aberese-Ako, Phidelia Doegah, Evelyn Acquah, Pascal Magnussen, Evelyn Ansah, Gifty Ampofo, Dominic Dankwah Agyei, Desmond Klu, Elsie Mottey, Julie Balen, Safiatou Doumbo, Wilfred Mbacham, Ouma Gaye, Margaret Gyapong, Seth Owusu-Agyei, Harry Tagbor
Summary: This meta-ethnographic review examines the factors that motivate or demotivate women from accessing malaria in pregnancy (MiP) interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. The study identified factors such as organized antenatal care, positive attitudes of health workers, women's knowledge of the effects of malaria in pregnancy, and financial resources as motivators for MiP intervention uptake. On the other hand, stock-outs, perception of not being at risk, and fear of being bewitched were among the factors that demotivated women from using MiP services. The study highlights the importance of strengthening health system gaps and involving communities in planning and implementing malaria interventions for pregnant women.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karen Schou Moller, Pascal Magnussen, Stig Milan Thamsborg, Sarah Gabriel, Helena Ngowi, Jeanette Magne
Summary: This study explored the key food-related practices linked to pork consumption at the village level in a T. solium endemic area in Tanzania. The findings revealed that pork cooks, both in restaurants and home kitchens, were guided by socio-cultural and economic factors in their actions. The cooks had varied understandings of the potential harm in raw pork, and restaurants and home kitchens were identified as major transmission points. The study suggests that future interventions should take into account the importance of tradition and culture in risky food practices.
Article
Infectious Diseases
D. Stelzle, C. Makasi, V. Schmidt, C. Trevisan, I. Van Damme, C. Ruether, P. Dorny, P. Magnussen, G. Zulu, K. E. Mwape, E. Bottieau, C. Prazeres da Costa, U. F. Prodjinotho, H. Carabin, E. Jackson, A. Fleury, S. Gabriel, B. J. Ngowi, A. S. Winkler
Summary: A prospective cohort study conducted in Tanzania found that the efficacy of albendazole monotherapy for neurocysticercosis was unsatisfactory, but the combination therapy of albendazole and praziquantel resulted in a high rate of cyst resolution.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mwayiwawo Madanitsa, Hellen C. Barsosio, Daniel T. R. Minja, George Mtove, Reginald A. Kavishe, James Dodd, Queen Saidi, Eric Onyango, Kephas Otieno, Duolao Wang, Ulla Ashorn, Jenny Hill, Crispin Mukerebe, Samwel Gesase, Omari A. Msemo, Victor Mwapasa, Kamija S. Phiri, Kenneth Maleta, Nigel Klein, Pascal Magnussen, John P. A. Lusingu, Simon Kariuki, Jacklin F. Mosha, Michael Alifrangis, Helle Hansson, Christentze Schmiegelow, Julie R. Gutman, R. Matthew Chico, Feiko O. ter Kuile
Summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine compared to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in high-resistance areas in East Africa. The results demonstrate that IPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and its combination with azithromycin lead to more adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. This suggests that combining sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for IPTp should be considered.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joseph Osarfo, Rose O. Adjei, Pascal Magnussen, Harry K. Tagbor
Summary: The study revealed that pregnant women's familiarity with the disease being studied and their trust in healthcare workers were major factors influencing their participation in clinical trials, while adverse drug events were perceived as a natural part of the recovery process. Additionally, there were no cultural barriers to blood sampling at home, and participants' HIV infection was linked to home visits.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)