Prevalence and Epidemiological Characteristics of Asymptomatic Malaria Based on Ultrasensitive Diagnostics: A Cross-sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1003-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seble Girma ◽  
James Cheaveau ◽  
Abu Naser Mohon ◽  
Dewdunee Marasinghe ◽  
Ruth Legese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
World Health ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background As the global public-health objectives for malaria evolve from malaria control towards malaria elimination, there is increasing interest in the significance of asymptomatic infections and the optimal diagnostic test to identify them. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study of asymptomatic individuals (N = 562) to determine the epidemiological characteristics associated with asymptomatic malaria. Participants were tested by rapid diagnostic tests (CareStart, Standard Diagnostics [SD] Bioline, and Alere ultrasensitive RDT [uRDT]), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine malaria positivity. Hemoglobin values were recorded, and anemia was defined as a binary variable, according to World Health Organization guidelines. Results Compared to reference qRT-PCR, LAMP had the highest sensitivity (92.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 86.4–96.5), followed by uRDT Alere Malaria (33.9%, 95% CI 25.5–43.1), CareStart Malaria (14.1%, 95% CI 8.4–21.5), microscopy (5.0%, 95% CI 1.8–10.5), and SD Bioline (5.0%, 95% CI 1.8–10.5). For Plasmodium falciparum specimens only, the sensitivity for uRDT Alere Malaria was 50.0% (95% CI 38.8–61.3) and SD Bioline was 7.3% (95% CI 2.7–15.3). Based on multivariate regression analysis with qRT-PCR as the gold standard, for every 3.2% increase in the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria, hemoglobin decreased by 1 gram per deciliter (prevalence ratio 0.968, 95% CI 0.940–0.997; P = .032). Deletions (4.8%) in hrp2 were noted. Conclusions While uRDT Alere Malaria has superior sensitivity to rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy in detecting asymptomatic malaria, LAMP is superior still. Ultrasensitive diagnostics provide the accurate prevalence estimates of asymptomatic malaria required for elimination.

scholarly journals Situation of Asymptomatic Malaria among Iranian Native and Af-ghan and Pakistani Immigrants in a Malarious Area under the Na-tional Malaria Elimination Program of Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Setareh ASKARI ◽  
Mehdi NATEGHPOUR ◽  
Afsaneh MOTEVALLI HAGHI ◽  
Leila FARIVAR ◽  
Ahmad RAEISI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Microscopical Method ◽  
Pakistani Immigrants ◽  
Pcr Techniques

Background: This study was designed to detect, if there are asymptomatic malaria infections amongst native and immigrant population from Afghanistan and Pakistan countries in Sistan & Baluchistan Province of Iran, where is under the national malaria elimination program. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among native individuals and resident immigrants in the southeastern province of Sistan & Baluchistan from May 2016 to Jul 2017. A total of 271 individuals were considered in this cross- sectional study based on microscopical method, Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and PCR techniques. Out of 271 native and immigrant participants 140 (52%) and 131 (48%) were male and female, respectively. Results: None of the prepared samples was diagnosed as malaria positive case when was considered via above mentioned three techniques. Conclusion: Neither native nor immigrant individuals had asymptomatic malaria, hinting that national malaria elimination program is performed according to planned schedule in the studied areas

scholarly journals Epidemiological Aspects of the Initial Evolution of COVID-19 in Microregion of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5245
Author(s):  
Deborah Araujo Policarpo ◽  
Eduarda Cristina Alves Lourenzatto ◽  
Talita Costa e Silva Brito ◽  
Daise Aparecida Rossi ◽  
Roberta Torres de Melo
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Initial Evolution ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

COVID-19 is considered by the World Health Organization to be a global public health emergency, which presents regional divergences that affect the epidemiological profile of the disease and are associated with political, economic, social and behavioral aspects. We aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the disease in the microregion of Uberlândia, Brazil, in order to determine risk factors that contributed to progression of SARS-CoV-2 virus. A cross-sectional study was conducted about micro- and macro-determinants combined with the significance analysis of suspected and confirmed cases in 18 municipalities during the epidemiological weeks (EW) 9 to 26. There were 34,046 notifications, of which 4935 (14.49%) people were diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 282 (5.71%) required hospital care and 40 (0.81%) died. Age and presence of associated comorbidities were decisive in the variations of incidence and lethality rates. In general, young people were the most affected and the elderly people, the most exposed to the serious and lethal form (p < 0.0001). Comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiopathies increased 33.5 times the death risk. The dispersion of the virus was centrifugal, in the inter as well as in the intra-municipal level. The disorderly implementation of municipal decrees applied in a decentralized manner in the municipalities seems to have contributed for the incidence rates increasing in the EW 25 and 26.

scholarly journals Integration of symptomatic, demographical and diet-related comorbidities data with SARS-CoV-2 antibody rapid diagnostic tests during epidemiological surveillance: a cross-sectional study in Jakarta, Indonesia

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e047763
Author(s):  
Rina Agustina ◽  
Ari Fahrial Syam ◽  
Fadila Wirawan ◽  
Indah S Widyahening ◽  
Ahmad Jabir Rahyussalim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Current Infection

ObjectivesAffordable options for COVID-19 epidemiological surveillance are needed. Virus detection by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) is sensitive but costly, and antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are cheap but with reduced sensitivity; both detect current infection but not exposure. RDT-IgM/IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detect exposure but have poor sensitivity for current infection. We investigated if the integration of symptomatic, demographical and diet-related comorbidities data with antibody RDTs improves their potential to assess infection rates in addition to exposure, thereby broadening their utility for surveillance.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from community surveillance for SARS-CoV-2. Health workers collected nasopharyngeal swabs for RT-PCR and RDT antigen assessments and venous blood for RDT-IgM/IgG from symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. Data on age, gender, contact history, symptoms (ie, fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, dyspnoea and diarrhoea), diet-related comorbidities (ie, diabetes and hypertension) and chest radiology were collected.SettingHigh-risk communities in Jakarta, Indonesia, in May 2020.Participants343 community members’ data were included.Outcome measuresRDT-IgM/IgG sensitivity, specificity and predictive values and area under receiver operating characteristic curve for RT-PCR positivity using RDT results alone and in combination with other predictors, including symptom components derived from principal component analysis.ResultsThere were 24 PCR-confirmed infections. RDT-IgM/IgG-positive tests were associated with infection (OR 10.8, 95% CI 4.43 to 26.4, p<0.001) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.708% and 50% sensitivity, 91.5% specificity, 30.8% positive predictive value (PPV) and 96.1% negative predictive value (NPV). RDT results combined with age, gender, contact history, symptoms and comorbidities increased the AUC to 0.787 and yielded 62.5% sensitivity, 87.0% specificity, 26.6% PPV and 96.9% NPV.ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 RDT-IgM/IgG results integrated with other predictors may be an affordable tool for epidemiological surveillance for population-based COVID-19 exposure and current infection, especially in groups with outbreaks or high transmission.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the performance of health extension workers on malaria rapid diagnostic tests and predictor factors in Bahir Dar Zuria district, northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249708
Author(s):  
Zelalem Dejazmach ◽  
Getaneh Alemu ◽  
Mulat Yimer ◽  
Chalachew Muluneh ◽  
Banchamlak Tegegne
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Blood Film ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Service Training

Background In Ethiopia, anti-malaria treatment is initiated after parasitological confirmation using blood film microscopy at health centers and hospitals, or serological rapid diagnostic tests at health posts. At health posts, the diagnosis is performed by health extension workers using rapid diagnostic tests after little training. However, there is paucity of data about the health extension workers’ performance on rapid diagnostic tests. Hence, periodic monitoring of the performances of health extension workers on malaria rapid diagnostic tests and predicted factors plays a pivotal role for the control of malaria. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in May 2020, among 75 health extension workers working at health posts in Bahir Dar Zuria district, Northwest Ethiopia. Their performance on malaria rapid diagnostic tests was assessed by distributing known positive and negative samples as confirmed by investigators using both rapid diagnostic test and blood film microscopy. Test results from health extension workers were then compared with that of investigators. Procedural errors committed while performing the tests were assessed using observational checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results The overall sensitivity and specificity of health extension workers in detecting Plasmodium species were 96.8% and 98.7%, respectively with 97.3% result agreement between the health extension workers and investigators (kappa value = 0.949). The most common procedural errors committed by health extension workers was ‘not checking expiry date of the test kits’ followed by ‘not adhering to the appropriate time of reading results’ that 70.7% and 64% of the participants committed these errors, respectively. Total number of procedural errors committed by those who have got in-service training was decreased by 47.3% as compared to those without in-service training. Conclusions Health extension workers had high performance on malaria rapid diagnostic tests. However, in-service training and periodic supervision should be given in order to maximize performance on these tests.

Evaluation of Drug Use Based on WHO Prescribing Indicator in Mizan- Tepi University Teaching Hospital, south Western Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Hambisa ◽  
Rediet Feleke ◽  
Ameha Zewudie ◽  
Mohammed Yimam
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

Background:: Rational drug use comprises aspects of prescribing, dispensing and patient use of medicines for different health problems. This study is aimed to assess drug prescribing practice based on the world health organization prescribing indicators in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Methods:: An institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate prescribing practices in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Data were collected based on World health organization drug use indicators using prescription papers. 600 prescriptions dispensed through the general outpatient pharmacy of the hospital were collected by systematic random sampling method from prescriptions written for a 1-year time in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Results:: The present study found that the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.04 ± 0.87 in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital with a range between 1 and 5. Prescribing by generic name was 97.6 % and 47.8% of prescriptions contained antibiotics in the hospital. 27.7% of prescriptions contained at least one injectable medication in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. From prescribed drugs, 96.7% of them were prescribed from Ethiopian essential drug list. Conclusion:: Present study indicated that the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter, the percentage of generic prescribing and prescribing from the EDL were close to optimal value. However, the percentage of encounters with antibiotics and injections prescribed were found be very high. Thus, the study highlights some improvements in prescribing habits, particularly by focusing on the inappropriate consumption of antibiotics and injections.

scholarly journals An Increased Adverse Fetal Outcome Has Been Observed among Teen Pregnant Women in Rural Eastern Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2333794X2199915
Author(s):  
Haymanot Mezmur ◽  
Nega Assefa ◽  
Tadesse Alemayehu
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Fetal Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Fetal Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Adverse Fetal Outcome

Background: According to the World Health Organization, teenage pregnancies are high-risk due to increased risks of fetal and infant morbidity and mortality. This study compares adverse fetal outcomes between teen and adult pregnant women from rural Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women visiting maternity units from surrounding rural areas. A total of 481 teenagers (13-19 years old) and 481 adults (20-34 years old) women with a singleton pregnancy were included in the study. Two hospitals and 3 health centers were selected in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia. Comparative analysis was carried out using the log-binomial regression model to identify factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in both categories. The results are reported in adjusted prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: High proportion of adverse fetal outcome was observed among teenage women than adult (34.9% vs 21%). Statistically significant difference ( P < .05) in the proportion of low birth weight (21.1% vs 9.3%), preterm birth (18.7% vs 10.6%), APGAR score at 5th minute (9.3% vs 4%) were found in teenagers compared to adult women. Antenatal care attendance (APR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.86); eclampsia (APR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.06); pre-eclampsia (APR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.67); and wealth index (rich) (APR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.94) were significantly associated with adverse fetal outcomes among the teenage women. Whereas intimate partner violence (APR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.90); preeclampsia (APR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.61, 5.69); antepartum hemorrhage (APR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.73, 4.46); and hyperemesis gravderm (APR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.79) were significantly associated with adverse fatal outcomes among the adult women. Conclusion: teenage pregnancy is associated with a high rate of adverse fetal outcomes. Early identification and treatment of problems during antenatal follow-up should be the mainstay to avert the massive adverse fetal effects.

scholarly journals Metals Exposures of Residents Living Near the Akaki River in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Yard ◽  
Tesfaye Bayleyegn ◽  
Almaz Abebe ◽  
Andualem Mekonnen ◽  
Matthew Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Akaki River

Background. The Akaki River in Ethiopia has been found to contain elevated levels of several metals. Our objectives were to characterize metals exposures of residents living near the Akaki River and to assess metal levels in their drinking water.Methods. In 2011, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 101 households in Akaki-Kality subcity (near the Akaki River) and 50 households in Yeka subcity (distant to the Akaki River). One willing adult in each household provided urine, blood, and drinking water sample.Results. Urinary molybdenum (p<0.001), tungsten (p<0.001), lead (p<0.001), uranium (p<0.001), and mercury (p=0.049) were higher in Akaki-Kality participants compared to Yeka participants. Participants in both subcities had low urinary iodine; 45% met the World Health Organization (WHO) classification for being at risk of moderate iodine deficiency. In Yeka, 47% of households exceeded the WHO aesthetic-based reference value for manganese; in Akaki-Kality, only 2% of households exceeded this value (p<0.001). There was no correlation between metals levels in water samples and clinical specimens.Conclusions. Most of the exposures found during this investigation seem unlikely to cause acute health effects based on known toxic thresholds. However, toxicity data for many of these metals are very limited.

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