Development of a molecular xenomonitoring protocol to assess filariasis transmission

Evaluating the diagnostic test accuracy of molecular xenomonitoring methods for characterising community burden of lymphatic filariasis

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciab197 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Pryce ◽

Lisa J Reimer

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Test Accuracy ◽

Sample Sizes ◽

Pathogen Dna ◽

Low Sensitivity ◽

The Relationship ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring ◽

Strong Linear Relationship

Abstract Background Molecular xenomonitoring (MX), the detection of pathogen DNA in mosquitoes, is a recommended approach to support lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination efforts. Potential roles of MX include detecting presence of LF in communities and quantifying progress towards elimination of the disease. However, the relationship between MX results and human prevalence is poorly understood. Methods :We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis from all previously conducted studies that reported the prevalence of filarial DNA in wild-caught mosquitoes (MX rate) and the corresponding prevalence of microfilaria (mf) in humans. We calculated a pooled estimate of MX sensitivity for detecting positive communities at a range of mf prevalence values and mosquito sample sizes. We conducted a linear regression to evaluate the relationship between mf prevalence and MX rate. Results We identified 24 studies comprising 144 study communities. MX had an overall sensitivity of 98.3% (95% CI 41.5, 99.9%) and identified 28 positive communities that were negative in the mf survey. Low sensitivity in some studies was attributed to small mosquito sample sizes (<1,000) and very low mf prevalence (<0.25%). Human mf prevalence and mass drug administration status accounted for approximately half of the variation in MX rate (R 2 = 0.49, p<0.001). Data from longitudinal studies showed that, within a given study area, there is a strong linear relationship between MX rate and mf prevalence (R 2 = 0.78, p < 0.001). Conclusion MX shows clear potential as tool for detecting communities where LF is present and as a predictor of human mf prevalence.

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Application of a household-based molecular xenomonitoring strategy to evaluate the lymphatic filariasis elimination program in Tamil Nadu, India

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0005519 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e0005519 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Swaminathan Subramanian ◽

Purushothaman Jambulingam ◽

Brian K. Chu ◽

Candasamy Sadanandane ◽

Venkatesan Vasuki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring

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The Current Status of Molecular Xenomonitoring for Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis

Trends in Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.pt.2017.06.008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 788-798 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Nils Pilotte ◽

Thomas R. Unnasch ◽

Steven A. Williams

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Current Status ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring

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Molecular Xenomonitoring of Lymphatic Filariasis

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.4269/ajtmh.2007.77.591 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 77 (4) ◽

pp. 591-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Moses J. Bockarie

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring

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Molecular xenomonitoring of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in mosquitoes from north-eastern Italy by real-time PCR coupled with melting curve analysis

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/1756-3305-5-76 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 76 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Maria Latrofa ◽

Fabrizio Montarsi ◽

Silvia Ciocchetta ◽

Giada Annoscia ◽

Filipe Dantas-Torres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Melting Curve ◽

Curve Analysis ◽

Dirofilaria Repens ◽

Melting Curve Analysis ◽

North Eastern ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring

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The abundance and diversity of West Nile virus mosquito vectors in two Regional Units of Greece during the onset of the 2018 transmission season

10.1101/735522 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Marina Bisia ◽

Claire L Jeffries ◽

Ioanna Lytra ◽

Antonios Michaelakis ◽

Thomas Walker

Keyword(s):

West Nile Virus ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Early Period ◽

Entomological Surveillance ◽

West Nile ◽

Additional Species ◽

Transmission Season ◽

Molecular Barcoding ◽

Of Greece ◽

Molecular Xenomonitoring

AbstractBackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of great medical and veterinary importance, threatening the health of humans and equines worldwide. Mosquitoes belonging to the Culex (Cx.) pipiens complex are major vectors but numerous other mosquito species have also been implicated as vectors of WNV. Due to variations in blood-feeding behaviour, the different biotypes and hybrids of Cx. pipiens influence the transmission of WNV, from enzootic cycles (between mosquitoes and birds), to spill-over transmission to humans and equines.MethodsIn this study, mosquitoes were collected and analysed from two regional units (RUs) of Greece with reported cases of WNV within the past 4 years; Palaio Flairo and Argolida (in Attica and Peloponnese regions, respectively). Collections using different types of mosquito surveillance traps were undertaken in May-June 2018 during the early period of the WNV transmission season.ResultsA total of 1062 mosquitoes were collected, with Biogents Sentinel traps (BG traps) collecting both a greater number of mosquitoes across all species and Cx. pipiens complex individuals than Centres for Disease Control miniature light traps (CDC traps) or Heavy Duty Encephalitis Vector Survey traps (EVS traps). Identification of collected mosquitoes (using both morphological keys and molecular barcoding) confirmed the presence of additional species including Aedes (Ae.) albopictus, Ae. caspius and Culiseta (Cs.) longiareolata. The prevalence of Cx. pipiens biotypes in the RU of Palaio Faliro was 54.5% pipiens type, 20.0% molestus type and 25.5% hybrids. In the RU of Argolida, the collection comprised 68.1% pipiens type, 8.3% molestus type and 23.6% hybrids. Screening individual unfed female mosquitoes for WNV (molecular xenomonitoring) resulted in detection in three females of the pipiens type and in one hybrid; all collected from the RU of Argolida.ConclusionsAs hybrids play an important role in spill-over transmission of WNV to humans and equines, these findings highlight the importance of undertaking entomological surveillance programs incorporating molecular xenomonitoring at the onset of the transmission season to provide an early warning system for health authorities aiming to prevent WNV outbreaks in Greece.

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