Diagnostic Techniques of Soil-Transmitted Helminths: Impact on Control Measures

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are common in the tropical and subtropical countries. The burden of disease is highest in endemic areas with limited access to good quality water supply and poor sanitary conditions. Major approaches to control and reduce morbidity caused by worm infections include the periodic deworming of pre-school and school-aged children with anthelminthic drugs. Population-based studies and individual patient management including interventional studies can only be successful when accurate diagnostic techniques are used. The lack of appropriate diagnostic tools providing accurate results concerning both infectious status and intensity of infection—as these two factors vary in regions of low infection intensities—is a major challenge. Currently, available techniques show limited sensitivity and specificity and as such, a combination of several techniques is usually used to diagnose the large variety of parasite species. The objective of this review was to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different available techniques for the diagnosis of STH infections and to highlight their use in control programs.

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Application of Volatilome Analysis to the Diagnosis of Mycobacteria Infection in Livestock

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.635155 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Pablo Rodríguez-Hernández ◽

Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez ◽

Lourdes Arce ◽

Jaime Gómez-Laguna

Keyword(s):

Analytical Techniques ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Future Research ◽

Control Programs ◽

Targeted Analysis ◽

Low Sensitivity ◽

And Control

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are small molecular mass metabolites which compose the volatilome, whose analysis has been widely employed in different areas. This innovative approach has emerged in research as a diagnostic alternative to different diseases in human and veterinary medicine, which still present constraints regarding analytical and diagnostic sensitivity. Such is the case of the infection by mycobacteria responsible for tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in livestock. Although eradication and control programs have been partly managed with success in many countries worldwide, the often low sensitivity of the current diagnostic techniques against Mycobacterium bovis (as well as other mycobacteria from Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis together with other hurdles such as low mycobacteria loads in samples, a tedious process of microbiological culture, inhibition by many variables, or intermittent shedding of the mycobacteria highlight the importance of evaluating new techniques that open different options and complement the diagnostic paradigm. In this sense, volatilome analysis stands as a potential option because it fulfills part of the mycobacterial diagnosis requirements. The aim of the present review is to compile the information related to the diagnosis of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in livestock through the analysis of VOCs by using different biological matrices. The analytical techniques used for the evaluation of VOCs are discussed focusing on the advantages and drawbacks offered compared with the routine diagnostic tools. In addition, the differences described in the literature among in vivo and in vitro assays, natural and experimental infections, and the use of specific VOCs (targeted analysis) and complete VOC pattern (non-targeted analysis) are highlighted. This review emphasizes how this methodology could be useful in the problematic diagnosis of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in livestock and poses challenges to be addressed in future research.

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A New Gold Rush: A Review of Current and Developing Diagnostic Tools for Urinary Tract Infections

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11030479 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 479

Author(s):

Raymond Xu ◽

Nicholas Deebel ◽

Randy Casals ◽

Rahul Dutta ◽

Majid Mirzazadeh

Keyword(s):

Urinary Tract ◽

Urinary Tract Infections ◽

Urine Culture ◽

The United States ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Gold Rush ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Current Standard ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in the United States and consequently are responsible for significant healthcare expenditure. The standard urine culture is the current gold standard for diagnosing urinary tract infections, however there are limitations of the test that directly contribute to increased healthcare costs. As a result, new and innovative techniques have been developed to address the inefficiencies of the current standard—it remains to be seen whether these tests should be performed adjunctly to, or perhaps even replace the urine culture. This review aims to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the newer and emerging diagnostic techniques such as PCR, expanded quantitative urine culture (EQUC), and next generation sequencing (NGS).

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Prevalence, risk factors, challenges, and the currently available diagnostic tools for the determination of helminths infections in human

European Journal of Inflammation ◽

10.1177/2058739220959915 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 205873922095991

Author(s):

Muhammad Riaz ◽

Nosheen Aslam ◽

Rida Zainab ◽

Aziz-Ur-Rehman ◽

Ghulam Rasool ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Digital Libraries ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Population Based ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Open Access Journals ◽

Specificity And Sensitivity ◽

Review Study

Soil transmitted helminthes (STH) are among the major public health issues in tropical and sub-tropical countries infecting more than 2 billion humans worldwide. STH causes considerable morbidity in children, affecting their cognitive development and physical growth. Endemic areas with poor sanitation and limited access to good quality water supply have the highest burden of STH infection. Various approaches to reduce and control the worm infections include the intermittent deworming of children with anti-helminthic drugs. Individual patient management and population based studies can only be successful upon using the diagnostic techniques with high accuracy. The lack of reliable tools for the provision of correct diagnostic results about the status and intensity of infection is a major challenge, as these factors varies considerably in areas of low infection intensities. The techniques currently available for the diagnosis of parasitic infections show limited specificity and sensitivity and as such several techniques in combination are normally used in diagnosing the variety of parasite species infection. This review article was planned to study the prevalence, risk factors, and the available diagnostic techniques for soil and water transmitted helminthes infections in humans. This article also discussed the challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and management of worm infections particularly helminthes. The articles available online on important portals like google scholar, PubMed, Digital Libraries, PakMediNet, Science direct, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) were searched for inclusion of the data in this review study. Duplicate studies and irrelevant reports describing the general aspects of parasite infections were excluded. This review study provides a comprehensive report on the prevalence, accurate diagnostic, and chemotherapeutic protocols to reduce the burden of worms infections. WHO suggests the chemotherapy for worm infections as feasible and cost effective strategy in schools due to the lack of proper policy for the prevention of intestinal worms.

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Assessment of African Swine Fever Diagnostic Techniques as a Response to the Epidemic Outbreaks in Eastern European Union Countries: How To Improve Surveillance and Control Programs

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.00857-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 53 (8) ◽

pp. 2555-2565 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

C. Gallardo ◽

R. Nieto ◽

A. Soler ◽

V. Pelayo ◽

J. Fernández-Pinero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Animal Health ◽

African Swine Fever ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Antibody Detection ◽

Effective Control ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serological Response ◽

Control Programs

This study represents a complete comparative analysis of the most widely used African swine fever (ASF) diagnostic techniques in the European Union (EU) using field and experimental samples from animals infected with genotype II ASF virus (ASFV) isolates circulating in Europe. To detect ASFV, three different PCRs were evaluated in parallel using 785 field and experimental samples. The results showed almost perfect agreement between the Universal ProbeLibrary (UPL-PCR) and the real-time (κ = 0.94 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.91 to 0.97]) and conventional (κ = 0.88 [95% CI, 0.83 to 0.92]) World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)-prescribed PCRs. The UPL-PCR had greater diagnostic sensitivity for detecting survivors and allows earlier detection of the disease. Compared to the commercial antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), good-to-moderate agreement (κ = 0.67 [95% CI, 0.58 to 0.76]) was obtained, with a sensitivity of 77.2% in the commercial test. For ASF antibody detection, five serological methods were tested, including three commercial ELISAs, the OIE-ELISA, and the confirmatory immunoperoxidase test (IPT). Greater sensitivity was obtained with the IPT than with the ELISAs, since the IPT was able to detect ASF antibodies at an earlier point in the serological response, when few antibodies are present. The analysis of the exudate tissues from dead wild boars showed that IPT might be a useful serological tool for determining whether or not animals had been exposed to virus infection, regardless of whether antibodies were present. In conclusion, the UPL-PCR in combination with the IPT was the most trustworthy method for detecting ASF during the epidemic outbreaks affecting EU countries in 2014. The use of the most appropriate diagnostic tools is critical when implementing effective control programs.

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Validation of the Japanese Version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale—Revised: A Preliminary Analysis

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs11080107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 107

Author(s):

Hirohito Tsuboi ◽

Yui Takakura ◽

Hiromasa Tsujiguchi ◽

Sakae Miyagi ◽

Keita Suzuki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Japanese Version ◽

Population Based ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Two Factors ◽

Study Population

To make the Japanese version of the CESD-R—a revised version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D)—in the assessment of depressive symptoms in a general population. The English version of CESD-R was translated into Japanese, and back-translated into English by three native speakers of Japanese and English; then, we selected the version most completely consistent with the original items. The CESD-R was applied to 398 community-dwelling people (191 men: 48.0%, and 207 women: 52.0%) who were over 40 years old. The Japanese version of the CES-D was also carried out in the same population. Factor analysis was performed. Additionally, the correlations between the CESD-R and CES-D results were identified. The CESD-R scores showed a significantly positive correlation with CES-D scores (r = 0.74, p < 0.0005). Analysis of the CESD-R yielded a Cronbach’s alpha result of 0.90. Factor analysis revealed one principal factor in the CESD-R, whereas the original CES-D had two factors because of reversed items. The Japanese version of the CESD-R appears to have the reliability to be applicable for assessing depressive symptoms in population-based samples. However, because the Japanese expressions for some items might be unusual, our study population was also limited; further studies on other populations and on incorporating improved Japanese terminology will be needed.

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Tick-borne zoonoses and commonly used diagnostic methods in human and veterinary medicine

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-020-07033-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Springer ◽

Antje Glass ◽

Julia Probst ◽

Christina Strube

Keyword(s):

Veterinary Medicine ◽

Diagnostic Tests ◽

One Health ◽

Animal Health ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Zoonotic Pathogens ◽

Health Concept ◽

The One

AbstractAround the world, human health and animal health are closely linked in terms of the One Health concept by ticks acting as vectors for zoonotic pathogens. Animals do not only maintain tick cycles but can either be clinically affected by the same tick-borne pathogens as humans and/or play a role as reservoirs or sentinel pathogen hosts. However, the relevance of different tick-borne diseases (TBDs) may vary in human vs. veterinary medicine, which is consequently reflected by the availability of human vs. veterinary diagnostic tests. Yet, as TBDs gain importance in both fields and rare zoonotic pathogens, such as Babesia spp., are increasingly identified as causes of human disease, a One Health approach regarding development of new diagnostic tools may lead to synergistic benefits. This review gives an overview on zoonotic protozoan, bacterial and viral tick-borne pathogens worldwide, discusses commonly used diagnostic techniques for TBDs, and compares commercial availability of diagnostic tests for humans vs. domestic animals, using Germany as an example, with the aim of highlighting existing gaps and opportunities for collaboration in a One Health framework.

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Exhaled breath condensate pH determinants in school‐aged children: a population‐based study

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology ◽

10.1111/pai.13564 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tiago Azenha Rama ◽

Inês Paciência ◽

João Cavaleiro Rufo ◽

Diana Silva ◽

Pedro Cunha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exhaled Breath Condensate ◽

Population Based ◽

Exhaled Breath ◽

Population Based Study ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Breath Condensate

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Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Be Parameterized and Standardized? A Narrative Review

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9020177 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 177

Author(s):

Luís Carlos Matos ◽

Jorge Pereira Machado ◽

Fernando Jorge Monteiro ◽

Henry Johannes Greten

Keyword(s):

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Functional Status ◽

Control Measures ◽

Systematic Evaluation ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Functional Evaluation ◽

Diagnostic Systems ◽

Mechanical Pulse ◽

Proof Of Efficacy

The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Western health systems and research requires a rational communicable theory, scientific proof of efficacy and safety, and quality control measures. The existence of clear definitions and the diagnosis standardization are critical factors to establish the patient’s vegetative functional status accurately and, therefore, systematically apply TCM therapeutics such as the stimulation of reflex skin areas known as acupoints. This science-based conceptualization entails using validated methods, or even developing new systems able to parameterize the diagnosis and assess TCM related effects by objective measurements. Traditionally, tongue and pulse diagnosis and the functional evaluation of action points by pressure sensitivity and physical examination may be regarded as essential diagnostic tools. Parameterizing these techniques is a future key point in the objectification of TCM diagnosis, such as by electronic digital image analysis, mechanical pulse diagnostic systems, or the systematic evaluation of acupoints’ electrophysiology. This review aims to demonstrate and critically analyze some achievements and limitations in the clinical application of device-assisted TCM diagnosis systems to evaluate functional physiological patterns. Despite some limitations, tongue, pulse, and electrophysiological diagnosis devices have been reported as a useful tool while establishing a person’s functional status.

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Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus: Laboratory and Point-of-Care Techniques

Infectious Disease Reports ◽

10.3390/idr13020049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 518-539

Author(s):

Peuli Nath ◽

Md Alamgir Kabir ◽

Somaiyeh Khoubafarin Doust ◽

Aniruddha Ray

Keyword(s):

Herpes Simplex Virus ◽

Herpes Simplex ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Detection Sensitivity ◽

Detection Techniques ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Simplex Virus

Herpes is a widespread viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that has no permanent cure to date. There are two subtypes, HSV-1 and HSV-2, that are known to cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from acute to chronic. HSV is highly contagious and can be transmitted via any type of physical contact. Additionally, viral shedding can also happen from asymptomatic infections. Thus, early and accurate detection of HSV is needed to prevent the transmission of this infection. Herpes can be diagnosed in two ways, by either detecting the presence of the virus in lesions or the antibodies in the blood. Different detection techniques are available based on both laboratory and point of care (POC) devices. Laboratory techniques include different biochemical assays, microscopy, and nucleic acid amplification. In contrast, POC techniques include microfluidics-based tests that enable on-spot testing. Here, we aim to review the different diagnostic techniques, both laboratory-based and POC, their limits of detection, sensitivity, and specificity, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

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Imaging Diagnosis of Right Ventricle Involvement in Chagas Cardiomyopathy

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/3820191 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Minna M. D. Romano ◽

Henrique T. Moreira ◽

André Schmidt ◽

Benedito Carlos Maciel ◽

José Antônio Marin-Neto

Keyword(s):

Right Ventricle ◽

Tissue Characterization ◽

Low Cost ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Deformation Analysis ◽

Geometrical Shape ◽

Gold Standard Method ◽

Chagas Cardiomyopathy ◽

Health And Disease

Right ventricle (RV) is considered a neglected chamber in cardiology and knowledge about its role in cardiac function was mostly focused on ventricular interdependence. However, progress on the understanding of myocardium diseases primarily involving the RV led to a better comprehension of its role in health and disease. In Chagas disease (CD), there is direct evidence from both basic and clinical research of profound structural RV abnormalities. However, clinical detection of these abnormalities is hindered by technical limitations of imaging diagnostic tools. Echocardiography has been a widespread and low-cost option for the study of patients with CD but, when applied to the RV assessment, faces difficulties such as the absence of a geometrical shape to represent this cavity. More recently, the technique has evolved to a focused guided RV imaging and myocardial deformation analysis. Also, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been introduced as a gold standard method to evaluate RV cavity volumes. CMR advantages include precise quantitative analyses of both LV and RV volumes and its ability to perform myocardium tissue characterization to identify areas of scar and edema. Evolution of these cardiac diagnostic techniques opened a new path to explore the pathophysiology of RV dysfunction in CD.

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