Dataset Information

Molecular methods for tracking residual Plasmodium falciparum transmission in a close-to-elimination setting in Zanzibar.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Molecular detection of low-density Plasmodium falciparum infections is essential for surveillance studies conducted to inform malaria control strategies in close-to-elimination settings. Molecular monitoring of residual malaria infections usually requires a large study size, therefore sampling and diagnostic processes need to be economical and optimized for high-throughput. A method comparison was undertaken to identify the most efficient diagnostic procedure for processing large collections of community samples with optimal test sensitivity, simplicity, and minimal costs.

Methods

In a reactive case detection study conducted on Zanzibar, parasitaemia of 4590 individuals of all ages was investigated by a highly sensitive quantitative (q) PCR that targets multiple var gene copies per parasite genome. To reduce cost, a first round of positivity screening was performed on pools of dried blood spots from five individuals. Ten cycles of a pre-PCR were performed directly on the filter paper punches, followed by qPCR. In a second round, samples of positive pools were individually analysed by pre-PCR and qPCR.

Results

Prevalence in household members and neighbors of index cases was 1.7% (78/4590) with a geometric mean parasite density of 58 parasites/µl blood. Using qPCR as gold standard, diagnostic sensitivity of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was 37% (29/78). Infections positive by qPCR but negative by RDT had mean densities of 15 parasites/µl blood.

Conclusion

The approach of pre-screening reactive case detection samples in pools of five was ideal for a low prevalence setting such as in Zanzibar. Performing direct PCR on filter paper punches saves substantial time and justifies the higher cost for a polymerase suitable for amplifying DNA directly from whole blood. Molecular monitoring in community samples provided a more accurate picture of infection prevalence, as it identified a potential reservoir of infection that was largely missed by RDT. The developed qPCR-based methodology for screening large sample sets represents primarily a research tool that should inform the design of malaria elimination strategies. It may also prove beneficial for diagnostic tasks in surveillance-response activities.

SUBMITTER: Grossenbacher B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6988349 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Molecular methods for tracking residual Plasmodium falciparum transmission in a close-to-elimination setting in Zanzibar.

Grossenbacher Benjamin B Holzschuh Aurel A Hofmann Natalie E NE Omar Kali Abdullah KA Stuck Logan L Fakih Bakar Shariff BS Ali Abdullah A Yukich Joshua J Hetzel Manuel W MW Felger Ingrid I

Malaria journal 20200129 1

<h4>Background</h4>Molecular detection of low-density Plasmodium falciparum infections is essential for surveillance studies conducted to inform malaria control strategies in close-to-elimination settings. Molecular monitoring of residual malaria infections usually requires a large study size, therefore sampling and diagnostic processes need to be economical and optimized for high-throughput. A method comparison was undertaken to identify the most efficient diagnostic procedure for processing la ...[more]

PMID: 31996210

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Dataset Information

Molecular methods for tracking residual Plasmodium falciparum transmission in a close-to-elimination setting in Zanzibar.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Molecular methods for tracking residual Plasmodium falciparum transmission in a close-to-elimination setting in Zanzibar.

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