scholarly journals Use of a Dry-Plasma Collection Device to Overcome Problems with Storage and Transportation of Blood Samples for Epidemiology Studies in Developing Countries

2000 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 882-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhannat Z. Nurgalieva ◽  
R. Almuchambetova ◽  
A. Machmudova ◽  
D. Kapsultanova ◽  
Michael S. Osato ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Studies are difficult in areas lacking modern facilities due to the inability to reliably collect, store, and ship samples. Thus, we sought to evaluate the use of a dry plasma collection device for seroepidemiology studies. Plasma was obtained by fingerstick using a commercial dry plasma collection device (Chemcard Plasma Collection Device) and serum (venipuncture) from individuals in Kazakhstan. Plasma samples were air dried for 15 min and then stored desiccated in foil zip-lock pouches at 4 to 6°C and subsequently shipped to the United States by air at ambient temperature. Serum samples remained frozen at −20°C until assayed. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (HM-CAP EIA) for the dry plasma and the serum samples. The results were concordant in 250 of the 289 cases (86.5%). In 25 cases (8.6%), the dry plasma samples gave indeterminate results and could not be retested because only one sample was collected. Five serum samples were positive, and the corresponding dry plasma samples were negative; one serum sample was negative, and the corresponding plasma sample was positive. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the Chemcard samples to serum were 97.6 and 97.9%, respectively, excluding those with indeterminate results. Repeated freeze-thawing had no adverse effect on the accuracy of the test. We found the dry plasma collection device to provide an accurate and practical alternative to serum when venipuncture may be difficult or inconvenient and sample storage and handling present difficulties, especially for seroepidemiologic studies in rural areas or developing countries and where freeze-thawing may be unavoidable.

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 1796-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Ledue ◽  
Marilyn F. Collins ◽  
John Young ◽  
Martin E. Schriefer

ABSTRACT Recent efforts to improve the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease have included the use of a synthetic peptide (C6) that reproduces the sequence of invariable region 6 of VlsE, the variable surface antigen of Borrelia burgdorferi. In the present study, the diagnostic performance of DiaSorin's recombinant VlsE-based chemiluminescence immunoassay in 1,947 human serum samples was evaluated. Sensitivity was determined using two serum panels from the CDC. For panel I, we observed sensitivities of 68.4% and 75.6% for subjects with early, localized (n = 19) or disseminated (n = 41) disease, respectively. For panel II, we observed sensitivities of 61.5% and 100% for subjects with early (n = 26) or late-stage (n = 11) disease, respectively. We observed a specificity of 99.5% for healthy donors (n = 600) living either in regions of the United States where the disease is endemic or in regions where it is not endemic. Overall, specificity among 207 potentially cross-reactive sera from subjects who had other spirochetal infections, nonspirochetal infections including bacterial and viral infections, or autoimmune or neurologic disease; who were positive for rheumatoid factor or anti-mouse antibodies; or who had been previously vaccinated for Lyme disease was 93.7%. In a direct comparison of 1,038 prospectively collected samples for Lyme disease testing we observed a relative sensitivity of 70%, a relative specificity of 99.1%, and an overall agreement of 97.1% between the DiaSorin recombinant VlsE chemiluminescence immunoassay and the Immunetics peptide-based C6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Md Shariful Alam Jilani ◽  
Tang Thean Hock ◽  
Sraboni Mazumder ◽  
Fahmida Rahman ◽  
Md Mohiuddin ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Several types of Burkholderia pseudomallei antigens have been used to determine the antibody response in acute and asymptomatic cases. In the present study, we have detected immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to recombinant truncated flagellin antigen (RTFA) of B. pseudomallei in the sera of acute melioidosis cases and healthy individuals from melioidosis endemic areas of Bangladesh by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In parallel, IgG antibody to sonicated whole cell antigen (SWCA) of B. pseudomallei was determined to compare with anti-RTFA antibody. Methodology: Serum samples from culture confirmed melioidosis cases and from healthy individuals aged 21 years and above residing in melioidosis endemic rural areas were included in the study. Serum IgG antibody to RTFA and SWCA of B. pseudomallei was determined by indirect ELISA. Results: Out of 8 culture confirmed acute melioidosis cases, 7 (87.5%) and 8 (100%) were positive for anti-B. pseudomallei IgG antibodies by RTFA and SWCA methods respectively. Among 361 healthy individuals, the rate of seropositivity by RTFA-ELISA was significantly less than that of SWCA-ELISA (16.1% versus 26.8%; p = 0.001). The mean optical density (OD) of RTFA-ELISA of positive cases was significantly less than that of SWCA-ELISA in both melioidosis and healthy individuals (0.79±0.11 versus 2.4±0.08, p = 0.0001; 0.67±0.01 versus 1.27±0.02, p = 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of RTFA-ELISA were 88.9% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Findings of the study suggest that multiple or combination of antigens should be used to study the seroprevalence of B. pseudomallei infection in a community. Also, prospective study is necessary to find out the duration of persistence of antibodies to different antigenic components of B. pseudomallei after exposure. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 47-52


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mesén-Ramírez ◽  
E. Abrahams-Sandí ◽  
K. Fernández-Quesada ◽  
P. Morera

AbstractAngiostrongylus costaricensis is the aetiological agent of human abdominal angiostrongyliasis, a parasitic disease reported from the United States to Argentina, with a widespread occurrence of the nematode throughout Central and South America. This study assesses the performance of A. costaricensis eggs as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for the determination of parasite-specific IgG1 antibodies. The specificity and the sensitivity of the method were 87% and 90.5%, respectively. Through this test it was possible to demonstrate a sharp and early decline in IgG1 antibody in serum samples taken from patients with histopathological diagnosis of abdominal angiostrongyliasis at different time points after surgical treatment. The present work demonstrated the usefulness of the egg antigen in the development of a specific diagnostic test for abdominal angiostrongylosis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shixing Tang ◽  
Mahtab Moayeri ◽  
Zhaochun Chen ◽  
Harri Harma ◽  
Jiangqin Zhao ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We developed a europium nanoparticle-based immunoassay (ENIA) for the sensitive detection of anthrax protective antigen (PA). The ENIA exhibited a linear dose-dependent pattern within the detection range of 0.01 to 100 ng/ml and was approximately 100-fold more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). False-positive results were not observed with serum samples from healthy adults, mouse plasma without PA, or plasma samples collected from mice injected with anthrax lethal factor or edema factor alone. For the detection of plasma samples spiked with PA, the detection sensitivities for ENIA and ELISA were 100% (11/11 samples) and 36.4% (4/11 samples), respectively. The assay exhibited a linear but qualitative correlation between the PA injected and the PA detected in murine blood (r = 0.97731; P < 0.0001). Anthrax PA was also detected in the circulation of mice infected with spores from a toxigenic Sterne-like strain of Bacillus anthracis, but only in the later stages of infection. These results indicate that the universal labeling technology based on europium nanoparticles and its application may provide a rapid and sensitive testing platform for clinical diagnosis and laboratory research.


Author(s):  
Sahima N.Vohra

In recent years, information and communication technology (ICT) has rapidly spread across the globe, along with increased market penetration and easy availability of economical smartphones and cell phones with both wired and nonwired connections to access the Internet; this leapfrogging in the Internet access is true even in the rural areas of the world's developing countries. This study explored the interplay between contextual and individual factors related to Internet adoption in isolated rural communities. By investigating 10 remote villages throughout Chile that received Internet access infrastructure in 2010–2011, we identified 3 areas in which contextual and individual factors are intertwined.1.Geogeaphical isolation,2. the communities' aging population also represented a strong challenge because they lack young people, a relevant technology socialization agent.3.Jon and economic. When the Internet has reached the vast majority of the population, isolated communities confront specific challenges that we need to consider in policy?making decisions. As Internet access spreads and the level of penetration reaches high percentages in both developed and developing countries, the urban–rural digital gap remains strong (e.g., LaRose, Strover, Gregg, &Straubhaar, 2011; Rivera, Lima & Castillo 2014). Thus, many policy?making efforts have promoted online connection in rural areas. For example, in the United States, the Department of Agriculture has promoted broadband access programs such as the Sustainable Broadband Adoption Program (LaRose et al., 2012).


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Bakhshipour ◽  
Narjes Sargolzaie ◽  
Raheleh Rafaiee

Background: Recently, epidemiological studies on hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection showed the seroprevalence has been changing due to changes in lifestyle. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no published data on the seropositivity of HAV in Zahedan, southeastern Iran. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in Zahedan, southeastern Iran, to provide the required information for better planning in preventive strategies. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, using the available sampling method, a total of 250 serum samples (18 years and above) in both the urban and rural areas of Zahedan were evaluated for anti-HAV IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Based on the results, it was observed that 228 out of 250 (91.2%) serum samples were positive for HAV IgG antibody. Male gender, family size, parents’ education, mother’s occupation, and history of jaundice before the age of 12 years were associated with positive HAV antibody (P < 0.001). The seroprevalence HAV rates were not statistically different between the residents of urban and rural regions. Conclusions: The seropositivity of HAV is high in both the urban and rural areas of Zahedan, Iran. Therefore, the HAV vaccination of the general population is not necessary. It is recommended to monitor HAV seroprevalence in the general population to determine high-risk groups, including anti-HAV seronegative individuals, for HAV vaccination in the residents of the southeast border.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manimuthu Mani Sankar ◽  
Veena Balooni ◽  
Jitendra Singh ◽  
Sarman Singh

ABSTRACT Objectives: Antibody based serodiagnosis tests for tuberculosis (TB) was used widely in developed and developing countries. Pathozyme Myco® immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, and IgG were evaluated in pulmonary TB in many studies. Materials and Methods: In this study we assessed this commercially available kit in detecting extrapulmonary TB (EPTB). Results: A total of 354 subjects were recruited for the study, of which 217 (61.2%) were EPTB patients and 137 (38.7%) were subjects with no suggestive TB. The mean age was 29.7 ± 13.7 and 31.2 ± 15.2 years, respectively for two groups. Serum samples were tested for IgM, IgA, and IgG using Pathozyme Myco® IgM, IgA, and IgG kit. The individual specificity rates of IgM, IgA, and IgG were 70.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 62.7-77.7), 77.3% (95% CI: 68.6-83.5), and 68.6%. (95% CI: 60.4-75.7); while their sensitivity was 29% (95% CI: 23.4-35.4), 24.4% (95% CI: 19.1-30.5), and 34.5% (95% CI: 28.5-41.1); respectively. Conclusion: The serological tests either singly or in combination failed or performed poorly to diagnose EPTB.


2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
L.M.S. Paulin ◽  
W.A. Andrade-Pacheco ◽  
V. Castro ◽  
I.S.P. Federsoni

ABSTRACT Serum samples from 200 vaccinated adult bovine females from two herds were analyzed by buffered antigen acidified plate test (AAT) (Rose Bengal Plate Test), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAI), 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) and complement fixation test (FC). For ELISAI, the fixed value of 45 percent positivity (PP) was used. Group A was composed of 100 animals, with description of reproductive disturbances compatible with brucellosis and reagent to the AAT. Group B was composed of 100 animals serologically free of B. abortus for at least two years. Additionally, all serum samples were tested using the AAT, the 2-ME and the FC to confirm negative status. The combination of two tests, FC and 2ME was used as the gold standard. The relative sensitivity and specificity and the Kappa were calculated for each test. The result of kappa for 2-ME in relation to the FC and of the AAT and the ELISAI in relation to the gold standard was, respectively, 0.78, 0.86 And 0.84. The relative sensitivities (Sr) were, respectively, 84.1% (53/63), 100% (53/53) and 98.1% (52/53), and the relative specificities (Er) were 93.3% (111/119), 90.1% (100/111) and 90.1% (100/111). For comparison between the ELISAI and the AAT, there was obtained a Kappa of 0.91, Sr of 93% (93/100) and Er of 98% (98/100). Conclusions: 1 The option of constituting the gold standard based on at least two tests was the most suitable for this study; 2 The ELISAI resulted in values of Sr and Er similar to the AAT. Therefore, the AAT and the ELISAI are good for screening in regard to the diagnosis of brucellosis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1621-1626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lília Márcia Silva Paulin ◽  
Luis Ernesto Samartino ◽  
Sandra Beatriz Conde ◽  
Igor Stefan Poppovic Federsoni ◽  
Fernando Ferreira ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to compare the performance of three serological tests for diagnosis of Brucella abortus infections in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Serum samples collected from 696 adult females were submitted to the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-C), (I-ELISA), fluorescence polarization test (FPA), 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME) and complement fixation test (CFT). The gold standard was the combination of CFT and 2-ME, considering as positive the reactors in both CFT and 2-ME, and as negative those non-reactors. ROC analyses were done for C-ELISA, I-ELISA and FPA and the Kappa agreement index were also calculated. The best combinations of relative sensitivity (SEr) and relative specificity (SPr) and Kappa were given by C-ELISA (96.9%, 99.1%, and 0.932, respectively) and FPA (92.2%, 97.6 and 0.836, respectively). The C-ELISA and FPA were the most promising confirmatory tests for the serological diagnosis of brucellosis in buffaloes, and for these tests, cut-off values for buffaloes may be the same as those used for bovines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
Shakila Tamanna ◽  
Fahmida Rahman ◽  
TH Tang ◽  
Siti Aminah Ahmed ◽  
KC Ang ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infection with worldwide distribution caused by the Leptospira species and predominant in the tropical and subtropical regions. Information on leptospirosis in Bangladesh is limited. The present study was designed to detect anti-leptospiral antibodies in human serum samples in Bangladeshi population by developing an in-house ELISA using recombinant LipL32 (rLipL32) antigen. The study was conducted from April 2014 to December 2014.Method: Healthy individuals from two rural areas and fever cases from one urban healthcare center were enrolled in the study. Rural health centers were located at Sonargoan and Bajitpur sub-district (Upozilla) of Narayaganj and Kishorganj districts. Sonargoan health center is located 26 km south-east and Bajitpur is located 71 km north-east of Dhaka city. About 1-2 ml of blood was collected with aseptic measure and serum was separated and stored at -200C until used. Anti-leptospiral IgG antibody was determined by recombinant LipL32 (rLipL32) antigen based indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive cases were further confirmed by commercial Leptospira IgG ELISA.Results: The study included 250 febrile cases and 376 healthy individuals from urban and rural areas, respectively. Out of total 626 study population, anti-LipL32 specific IgG antibody was detected in 70 individuals (11.2%). The rate of positivity of anti-LipL32 antibody among the healthy individuals from rural area was 10.6% while the rate was 12.0% in urban febrile population. The rate of positivity in rural and urban population was not significantly (p>0.05) different. Among the urban population, the rate of seropositivity was 9.1% and 16.4% in 21- 40 yrs and above 40 years age group respectively while the rate was 7.2% and 14.0% in rural population respectively. Out of 70 seropositive cases detected by LipL32 ELISA, 65 (92.9%) were positive by commercial ELISA.Conclusion: The present study has revealed that leptospirosis is prevalent in Bangladesh and should be looked for in febrile and clinically suspected cases. The study has also demonstrated that rLipL32 protein may be used as a candidate antigen for the serodiagnosis of leptospirosis.IMC J Med Sci 2017; 11(2): 50-55


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