Diagnosis Of Lymphatic Filariasis Research Articles

Human immune response against filarial HSP70 and its role in the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis

A sensitive and specific diagnostic kit is crucial for the detection of human lymphatic filariasis at the early stage of infection as the existing diagnostic tools are inefficient and expensive. In the present study, we have cloned and expressed Brugia malayi HSP70 (BmHSP70) protein and characterized it as a potential antigen for diagnosis of the asymptomatic microfilariae stage of Wuchereria. bancrofti infection using ELISA, western blot, and bioinformatics tools. The antigenic efficacy of BmHSP70 was also compared with ScHSP70. The BmHSP70 and ScHSP70 peptide showed highly antigenic in nature and they showed immunogenic cross-reactivity endemic normal (EN) < chronic (CH) < microfilaraemic (MF) in IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 ELISA. IgG4-specific immunoblotting of BmHSP70 with MF sera further explicated its stage-specific antigenic cross-reactivity. These antigens (ScHSP70 and BmHSP70) showed a positive immunogenic correlation with the number of MF in blood samples. Thus, proposing BmHSP70 as a potential immunodiagnostic antigen against lymphatic filariasis. A triplet of GGMP tetrapeptide specific to the filarial HSP70 was also identified which was absent in human HSP70. In terms of sensitivity and specificity of antigens, these results suggest that recombinant BmHSP70 is a good antigen and could be used to diagnose early-stage of microfilariae infection.

Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis Using Immunochromatography and Microscopy in Three Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Nigeria

Human Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by three types of filarial worms; Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugiatimori is one of the neglected tropical diseases and spread by bites of infected Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Ochleratus andMansoni mosquitoes. The study evaluated diagnostic methods using blood samples from 420 consented participants in threeLocal Government Areas of Cross River State. Blood samples were examined following one hour of administration ofDiethylcarbamazine citrate for LF microfilaria microscopy (Knott’s concentration) and for LF antigen usingimmunochromatographic (ICT) method (Alere filariasis test strip). Of the 420 samples examined, 1.7% was found to bepositive using microscopy while 4.8% were positive using ICT. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis oflymphatic filariasis using microscopy and ICT among participants in the local government areas (χ2= 21.84, p&gt;0.05). Of the214 males and 206 females examined, 4.2% males and 5.3% females tested positive using ICT while 1.4% males and 1.9%females were found positive using microscopy. The difference in the infection between gender was statistically significant(χ2=0.298, p&lt;0.05). Participants aged 21-24 years had the highest prevalence of 19.4% while the least prevalence of 1.5%was observed among age group 9-12years using ICT. Also, no significant difference was observed in the diagnosis of LFamong the age groups (χ2= 19.88, p&gt;0.05). The study showed that LF still remains a public health problem in Cross RiverState. Mass drug administration should be scaled up in the state so as to reduce and finally eradicate the disease.&#x0D; Keywords: Diagnosis, Lymphatic filariasis, Immunochromatography, Microscopy

Comparison of Indoor Mosquito Collection Methods in the Assessment of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission Dynamics in Mosquito Vectors in Tana River County, Kenya

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic infectious disease that is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. Diagnosis of LF is done in both human hosts and vectors. Effective mosquito collection method(s) is/are required in order to collect large numbers of mosquitoes with high chances of infectivity.In this study, 3 mosquito sampling methods were compared. Mosquitoes were collected from 6 randomly selected villages of Tana River County, Kenya. The effectiveness of CDC light traps, gravid traps, and pyrethrum spray methods in collecting mosquitoes were compared. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified into genera and species level, and mosquito dissection was done in search of microfilariae larvae to assess the infection and infectivity rates. Data was analysed by SPSS version 15.0 and analysis of variance (ANOVA).A total of 1632 female mosquitoes were collected belonging to 5 mosquito genera: Culex, Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia, and Ficalbia. The most abundant mosquito genera was Culex. Light traps obtained the most blood-fed mosquitoes.Light traps were found to be the most effective method of mosquito collection in terms of high catches and high infectivities.

Comparison of Indoor Mosquito Collection Methods in the Assessment of Lymphatic Filariasis Transmission Dynamics in Mosquito Vectors in Tana River County, Kenya

Background:Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic infectious disease that is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. Diagnosis of LF is done in both human hosts and vectors. Effective mosquito collection method(s) is/are required in order to collect large numbers of mosquitoes with high chances of infectivity.Methods:In this study, 3 mosquito sampling methods were compared. Mosquitoes were collected from 6 randomly selected villages of Tana River County, Kenya. The effectiveness of CDC light traps, gravid traps, and pyrethrum spray methods in collecting mosquitoes were compared. Mosquitoes were morphologically identified into genera and species level, and mosquito dissection was done in search of microfilariae larvae to assess the infection and infectivity rates. Data was analysed by SPSS version 15.0 and analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results:A total of 1632 female mosquitoes were collected belonging to 5 mosquito genera: Culex, Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia, and Ficalbia. The most abundant mosquito genera was Culex. Light traps obtained the most blood-fed mosquitoes.Conclusion:Light traps were found to be the most effective method of mosquito collection in terms of high catches and high infectivities.

Incidental microfilaria in cervical lymph node cytology

Although filariasis is a major health problem in tropical countries including India, lymph node is an unusual site to present as filarial nodule. It is rare to find microfilaria in lymph node cytology. However, in the absence of clinical features of filariasis, fine-needle aspiration cytology may help in the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis. We report this case, presented with filarial lymph node mass and diagnosed incidentally on a fine-needle aspiration.

An investigation of the disparity in estimates of microfilaraemia and antigenaemia in lymphatic filariasis surveys.

BackgroundThe diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is based typically on either microfilaraemia as assessed by microscopy or filarial antigenaemia using an immuno-chromatographic test. While it is known that estimates of antigenaemia are generally higher than estimates of microfilaraemia, the extent of the difference is not known.MethodsThis paper presents the results of an extensive literature search for surveys that estimated both microfilaraemia and antigenaemia in order to better understand the disparity between the two measures.Results and ConclusionsIn some settings there was a very large disparity, up to 40–70%, between estimates of microfilaraemia and antigenaemia. Regression analysis was unable to identify any predictable relationship between the two measures. The implications of findings for risk mapping and surveillance of LF are discussed.

Immunological Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis in Dogs of Kerala, India using Filarial Antibody Detection Immunospot Test

Immunological Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis in Dogs of Kerala, India using Filarial Antibody Detection Immunospot Test Lymphatic filariasis caused by filarial nematodes, Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti is a major vector borne disease prevalent in human beings in the tropics. This study was carried out to facilitate the immunological diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis in domesticated pets in Kerala, India using Filarial Antibody detection spot / immunodot test using Signal MF Reagent.

Comparison of tests for the detection of circulating filarial antigen (Og4C3-ELISA and AD12-ICT) and ultrasound in diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis in individuals with microfilariae

Significant advances were made in the diagnosis of filariasis in the 1990s with the emergence of three new alternative tools: ultrasound and tests to detect circulating antigen using two monoclonal antibodies, Og4C3 and AD12-ICT-card. This study aimed to identify which of these methods is the most sensitive for diagnosis of infection. A total of 256 individuals, all male and carrying microfilariae (1-15,679 MF/mL), diagnosed by nocturnal venous blood samples, were tested by all three techniques. The tests for circulating filarial antigen concurred 100% and correctly identified 246/256 (96.69%) of the positive individuals, while ultrasound detected only 186/256 (73.44%). Of the circulating antigen tests, ICT-card was the most convenient method for identification of Wuchereria bancrofti carriers. It was easy to perform, practical and quick.

Field application of PCR-based assays for monitoring Wuchereria bancrofti infection in Africa.

Approximately 50 million people in Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa have bancroftian filariasis and together they represent about a third of all cases of lymphatic filariasis (LF) world-wide. Currently, the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, which was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998, is largely based on repeated annual cycles of mass drug administration (MDA) to endemic populations. Also, some countries, including Egypt, are taking steps to improve LF vector-control interventions, to break the transmission cycle more effectively than is achievable with MDA alone. New tools and strategies for monitoring and evaluating elimination campaigns are needed. The last 20 years have witnessed dramatic advances in the diagnosis of LF for epidemiological purposes. The recent introduction and development of molecular technologies have moved parasite-detection systems from traditional methods (that are labour-intensive, tedious and often impractical) to improved PCR-based assays that have considerable potential for field use. The present article highlights the strengths and limitations of the PCR-based assays when used to detect filarial infections in mosquitoes (particularly for the xenomonitoring of elimination campaigns).