scholarly journals Postmortem Surveillance for Ebola Virus Using OraQuick Ebola Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2019–2020

2022 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka ◽  
Yibayiri Osee Sanogo ◽  
Junior Bulabula-Penge ◽  
Maria E. Morales-Betoulle ◽  
Patrice Fillon ◽  
...  
Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Makiala ◽  
Daniel Mukadi ◽  
Anja De Weggheleire ◽  
Shino Muramatsu ◽  
Daisuke Kato ◽  
...  

The recent large outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have highlighted the need for rapid diagnostic tests to control this disease. In this study, we clinically evaluated a previously developed immunochromatography-based kit, QuickNaviTM-Ebola. During the 2018 outbreaks in DRC, 928 blood samples from EVD-suspected cases were tested with QuickNaviTM-Ebola and the WHO-approved GeneXpert. The sensitivity and specificity of QuickNaviTM-Ebola, estimated by comparing it to GeneXpert-confirmed cases, were 85% (68/80) and 99.8% (846/848), respectively. These results indicate the practical reliability of QuickNaviTM-Ebola for point-of-care diagnosis of EVD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan B. Parr ◽  
Eddy Kieto ◽  
Fernandine Phanzu ◽  
Paul Mansiangi ◽  
Kashamuka Mwandagalirwa ◽  
...  

AbstractThe majority of Plasmodium falciparum malaria diagnoses in Africa are made using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect histidine-rich protein 2. Increasing reports of false-negative RDT results due to parasites with deletions of the pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes (pfhrp2/3) raise concern about existing malaria diagnostic strategies. We previously identified pfhrp2-negative parasites among asymptomatic children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but their impact on diagnosis of symptomatic malaria is unknown. We performed a cross-sectional study of false-negative RDTs in symptomatic subjects in 2017. Parasites were characterized by microscopy; RDT; pfhrp2/3 genotyping and species-specific PCR assays; a bead-based immunoassay for Plasmodium antigens; and/or whole-genome sequencing. Among 3627 symptomatic subjects, 427 (11.8%) had RDT-/microscopy + results. Parasites from eight (0.2%) samples were initially classified as putative pfhrp2/3 deletions by PCR, but antigen testing and whole-genome sequencing confirmed the presence of intact genes. 56.8% of subjects had PCR-confirmed malaria. Non-falciparum co-infection with P. falciparum was common (13.2%). Agreement between PCR and HRP2-based RDTs was satisfactory (Cohen’s kappa = 0.66) and superior to microscopy (0.33). Symptomatic malaria due to pfhrp2/3-deleted P. falciparum was not observed. Ongoing HRP2-based RDT use is appropriate for the detection of falciparum malaria in the DRC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (06) ◽  
pp. 471-476
Author(s):  
Théophile Mitima Kashosi ◽  
Céléstin Bisangamo Kyambikwa ◽  
Philémon Mbarabara Mulongo ◽  
Jean Bisimwa Nachega

Introduction: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used for point-of-care. point-of-care diagnosis of HIV infection in resource-limited settings. However, there are no data about their field diagnostic performance in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially in the context of blood banks screening for transfusion safety purpose. Methodology: Blood specimens were collected from blood donors in Bukavu, Eastern DRC, from May the 1st to June the 30th, 2015, to evaluate the accuracy of Alere Determine HIV-1/2, Trinity Biotech Uni‑Gold HIV, and DoubleCheckGold Ultra HIV 1& 2 compared to the laboratory-based 4th generation ELISA apDia HIV Ag/Ab assay. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and related 95% confidence intervals were calculated using MedCalc statistical software version 15.1. Reliability was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa Statistic, κ. Results: Among 312 participants who provided blood bags, 96/312 (30.7%) were female and the mean age (SD) was 31.7 years (± 8.1years). Sensitivity for the three tests was 57.1% (95% CI: 18.4-90.1). The specificity was 99.7% (95% CI: 18.4-90.1) for Alere Determine HIV 1/2, 100% (95% CI: 98.8-100.0) for Uni-Gold HIV, and (100% (95% CI: 98.8-100.0) for DoubleCheckGold Ultra HIV 1&2. Cohen’s Kappa Statistic showed moderate agreement between the 4th generation ELISA apDia HIV Ag/Ab and RDTs Alere Determine HIV 1/2 and Uni-Gold HIV (κ = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.55- 0.76) but good agreement for DoubleCheckGold Ultra HIV1&2 (κ = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61 – 0.82). Conclusions: Compared to the laboratory-based ELISA apDia HIV Ag/Ab assay, the currently used 3rd generation HIV RDTs showed poor field accuracy results in a context of blood donors screening. These data support the need for 4th generation Ag-Ab RDTs in transfusion blood qualification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Célestin Kaputu-Kalala-Malu ◽  
Eric Mafuta Musalu ◽  
Tim Walker ◽  
Olga Ntumba-Tshitenge ◽  
Steve Ahuka-Mundeke

Abstract Background Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a deadly and feared infectious disease, which can be responsible of debilitating physical and psychological sequelae in survivors including depression and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, there are scarce data on survivor sequelae in Democratic Republic of the Congo. So this study assessed PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms among EVD survivors enrolled in the follow-up program of the psychosocial care team of Beni town’s general hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study used consecutive sampling to recruit 144 Ebola virus disease survivors who came for follow up from October 23 to November 13; 2019. Basic socio-demographic data, presence of headache and short-term memory function were assessed. The Post-traumatic Checklist Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess psychological burden among participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarized data and Pearson’s or likelihood chi-square were used to test association between psychiatric disorders and associated factors. Results The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety was 24.3, 24.3 and 33.3% respectively. Being male (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.95, p = 0.049), suffering from persistent headache (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014), losing a loved one because of EVD (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.15, p = 0. 015) and being young − 18-24 years - (OR: 0. 261, 95% CI: 0. 08, 0.82, p = 0,026) were statistically associated with PTSD diagnosis. Having short-term memory impairment and suffering from persistent headache were statistically associated with depression and anxiety diagnoses (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.82, p = 0.026); (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.85, p = 0.025); (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014); (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.06, 5.01, p = 0.020). Conclusion The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety is high among EVD survivors. Development of specialized psychiatric services to sustain psychiatric and psychological health amongst survivors in the cultural context of the Eastern part of the DRC should be considered by the teams fighting against EVD in the DRC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S609-S609
Author(s):  
Qaasim Mian ◽  
Kasereka Masumbuko Claude ◽  
Michael Hawkes

Abstract Background The current Ebola epidemic in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,300 cases and 800 deaths. Social resistance is a major barrier to control efforts, and invites an exploration of community beliefs around Ebola and its origins. Methods Mixed-methods study, using focus group discussions (FGDs) with key community informants and a 19-item survey questionnaire broadly sampling the outbreak zone. Results Between 4 to 17 August, 2018, we conducted 4 FGDs (20 participants) and surveyed 286 community members across Eastern DRC. FGDs revealed a widespread rumor in Mangina early in the epidemic of two twins bewitched by their aunt after eating her cat, who developed bleeding symptoms and triggered the epidemic. However, this myth appeared to dissipate as the epidemic progressed and biomedical transmission became generally accepted (medical syncretism). In our survey, 6% of respondents endorsed supernatural origins of Ebola. This subgroup did not differ from other respondents in terms of knowledge of biomedical modes of transmission or resistant attitudes toward infection control measures, but was more likely to believe that traditional healers could cure Ebola. Wild animals of the forest were recognized as sources of the Ebola virus by 53% of survey respondents. Our findings suggest that skepticism and/or denial of the biomedical discourse, coupled with and mistrust and fear of ETUs may fuel “underground” transmission of Ebola outside western-style medical facilities, as patients seek care from traditional healers, who are ill-equipped to deal with a highly contagious biohazard. Conclusion A deeper understanding of beliefs around Ebola origins may illuminate strategies to engage communities in control efforts. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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