Assessing an Adaptation of the Universal Parasite Diagnostic Assay for Bloodborne Parasites in a US State Public Health Laboratory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Clemons ◽  
Joel Barratt ◽  
Meredith Lane ◽  
Yvonne Qvarnstrom ◽  
Allen E. Teal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Rdna Locus ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs

For complex clinical cases where a parasitic infection is suspected, it can be difficult for clinicians to recommend an appropriate laboratory test. These tests are usually pathogen-specific and require a certain degree of suspicion for the precise etiology. Recently, Flaherty et al. (2021) described an assay, the universal parasite diagnostic (UPDx) that can potentially provide a diagnosis of any parasite present in a specimen. Using primers that amplify DNA from all eukaryotes, UPDx differentiates several parasitic infections in blood by amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the 18S rDNA locus. As the state’s public health reference laboratory, the Parasitology Laboratory at the Wadsworth Center (New York, NY) receives specimens from patients who have potentially encountered a wide variety of parasites. As such, the ability to differentiate several blood parasites using a single assay is of interest. We assessed UPDx for its ability to confirm parasitic infections for 20 specimens that were previously identified by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). This included specimens positive for Babesia microti, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania tropica, various Plasmodium species, and specimens comprising mixed Plasmodium sp. infections. Results obtained using UPDx were largely concordant with the RT-PCR assays. A T. cruzi positive specimen was negative by UPDx and for two mixed Plasmodium sp. infections only one species was detected. The results obtained for other specimens were concordant. We conclude that UPDx shows promise for the detection of blood parasites in diagnostic laboratories. As NGS becomes cheaper, assays like UPDx will become increasingly amenable to use in clinical settings.

scholarly journals Sequencing for COVID-19 in the Pandemic Era: What Does it Mean?

2021 ◽  
Vol 156 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S140-S141
Author(s):  
J M Petersen ◽  
D Jhala
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
The United States ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Clinical Role

Abstract Introduction/Objective SARS-CoV-2 has been developing mutations over the course of the pandemic, leading to the rise of variants. The sequencing of these variants, however, has an unclear role for the medical center providing patient treatment. Methods/Case Report Patient specimens that were positive for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 with a cycle threshold <30 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were sent for sequencing at the Veterans Health Administration Public Health Reference Laboratory (PHRL). Testing for SARS-CoV-2 was by RT-PCR was initially done by either the Abbott Alinity m SARS-CoV-2 assay (Chicago IL) or the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV- 2/Flu/RSV assay (Sunnyvale CA). All sent patient specimens had been selected by the clinical team for concern of the presence of a SARS-CoV-2 variant. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) There were a total of 8 patients (4 males and 4 females) that were sent for sequencing. The patient ages ranged from 38 to 80 years (average 58.8). The racial proportion of the 8 patients was 2 African Americans, 2 Caucasian Americans, and 4 unanswered. All were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (4 Abbott assay and 4 Cepheid assay). Six of the sequenced samples showed the NextClade 20I/501Y.V1, Pango Lineage B.1.1.7, a variant first identified in the United Kingdom; four of these six patients had documentation of vaccination prior to the infection. One sequence was a NextClade 20C Pango Lineage B.1.526.1, a variant first identified in New York. The last sequence identified was a NextClade 20G, Pango Lineage B.1, a variant predominantly seen in the United States. Conclusion At the present time, sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 does not have a clear clinical role. However, from a public health and epidemiological point of view, sequencing has a role in SARS-CoV-2 variant tracing and detection. Vaccine protection against variant SARS-CoV-2 may not be complete as some infected patients had been vaccinated.

What are Hidden Facts behind Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Ilam City?

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-287
Author(s):  
S. Viesy ◽  
J. Abdi ◽  
Z. Rezaei
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Blastocystis Hominis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the one of the most common health problems in developing countries. Objective: A number of patients die annually due to complications caused by these parasites.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the rate and type of parasitic infections, determine the factors affecting them in Ilam city and also provide strategies to prevent them.In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in one of the Ilam labs in 2016, 417 stool specimens were randomly collected. All specimens were examined using direct and ethanol formaldehyde.Suspect specimens were examined using Trichrom staining. Demographic information was also recorded in a questionnaire, and finally the results were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 20.The data were then compared with Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 417 patients examined, 59 (14.1%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The type of parasitic infection in 9.4% was Blastocystis hominis, 3.6% Entamoeba coli, 0.5% Entamoeba histolytica, 0.5% Giardia and 0.2% Trichomonas hominis. Conclusion: Despite the improvement of public health, parasitic infections are still considered as one of the health problems in the city of Ilam. Therefore, proper planning, public health education, raising the level of health in the area and the provision of safe drinking water are some of the ways to reduce parasitic infections in the region.

Multicentre evaluation of a direct agglutination test prototype kit (DAT-LPC) for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (14) ◽  
pp. 1964-1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. OLIVEIRA ◽  
D. OLIVEIRA ◽  
F. A. CARDOSO ◽  
J. R. BARBOSA ◽  
A. P. MARCELINO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Direct Agglutination Test ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Freeze Dried

SUMMARYIn this study, we assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of a previously developed direct agglutination test (DAT) using a freeze-dried antigen derived fromLeishmania infantumpromastigotes and composed in a prototype kit for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) diagnosis, named DAT-LPC. To evaluate DAT-LPC reproducibility, the kit was used to analyse 207 serum samples from VL patients and 80 serum samples from patients with other parasitic infections or healthy subjects in four laboratories from different public health institutions in Brazil. DAT-LPC showed sensitivity between 96·2 and 99·5% (P= 0·14), specificity ranging from 96·2 to 97·5% (P= 0·95), and diagnostic accuracy ranging from 96·5 to 99% (P= 0·34). The inter-laboratory reproducibility of qualitative results was classified as excellent (κindex: 0·94–0·97). The reproducibility of the end-titre results in relation to the reference laboratory, ranged from 31 to 85%. These results demonstrate an excellent performance of the DAT-LPC, and validate it for the diagnosis of VL that could replace the immunofluorescent antibody test as the routine diagnostic test in the Brazilian public health system.

scholarly journals Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in patients attending National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, from 2013 to 2015: A retrospective study

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49
Author(s):  
Karma Norbu ◽  
Adeep Mongar ◽  
Nima Dorji ◽  
Leki D. Drukpa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Referral Hospital ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
National Referral Hospital

Introduction: Infection with intestinal parasites continues to be a significant public health problem worldwide. There is no information on the prevalence of these intestinal parasites in patients visiting the National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan. Methods: The study utilized information of stool data from 2013 to 2015 and was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Wet and Iodine mount technique were used for identification. Results: The overall intestinal prevalence rate was 2.1%. Out of 5919 stool samples, Giardia lamblia has the highest rate of 0.93%, followed by Entamoeba coli 0.15%, Trichomonahomonis 0.19% and Taeniaspp. 0.17%.Giardia lamblia infection was 1.03% in males and 0.85% in females. The overall prevalence rate of parasitic infections was highest in >56 years age group with 2.83% in females and 2.0% in males. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites is a concern in the country. Furthermore, this study provides insights to develop effective public health intervention for reducing parasitic infections in the country.

scholarly journals A vicious cycle of helminth infections: Current sanitation status and practices that led to continued STH transmission in rural communities in the Philippines

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Joy Lorenzo ◽  
Charmaine Joy Berte ◽  
Dazzle Kane Cortel ◽  
Duane Raphael Manzanilla ◽  
Christian Anthony Luna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Helminth Infections

Abstract BackgroundHelminth infections among children remains a public health concern despite continued deworming activities conducted in all public schools nationwide. Access to improved sanitation facilities not only leads to continued practice of open defecation predispose children to this intestinal parasitic infection. This study aim to characterize the sanitation situation and practices among households as well as their deworming practices and associate it with the prevalence in two rural communities in San Pascual, Masbate, Philippines. MethodsA survey of 234 randomly selected households from the two barangays was conducted followed by stool screening using Kato-Katz method from 586 children and adolescents below 18 years old was done in June 2019. ResultsThe survey showed that 33.28% of households do not have access to sanitary toilet and open defecation was practiced by 53.92% of surveyed households. More than half of the households (60.75%) surveyed also reported “poso” as their source of drinking water. The survey also revealed that households have high scores in the knowledge, attitude, and practices or KAP section of the survey. The over-all cumulative prevalence rate was at 41.6% moderate to light intensity infection rate. ConclusionAmong the variables tested, only the source of drinking water, attitude scores, and MDA participation showed association with having helminth infection among children. The study highlights the importance of advocating multi-sectoral approach in addressing persistent public health issues like the intestinal parasitic infections among children. Moreover, this study provides valuable information needed to support strategies like community-led total sanitation or CLTS as a potential strategy addressing both sanitation and public health dilemma.

scholarly journals Preliminary Study: Detection of Ecto and Endoparasites Among Wild Rats From Urban Area in Blimbing, Malang, East Java

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Shelly Kusuma ◽  
Reza Yesica ◽  
Ida Bagus Gde Rama Wisesa ◽  
Jenny Hermanto ◽  
Yustia Nurholizah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Trypanosoma Lewisi ◽  
Live Trap ◽  
Wild Rats ◽  
Syphacia Obvelata

Zoonotic parasitic infections is one of the global public health issues. The complex parasite transmission allows for the relationship between people, animals, vectors, and the environment. The existence of rat in the environment has an important role as a host and reservoir for various types of ecto and endoparasites. This study was conducted to collect informative data on the parasitic infection of wild rats in Blimbing sub-district, Malang city, East Java. A total number of eight wild rat were captured using live-traps from landfills during 4 days. They were classified by sex, weight and body length. The rats were anesthetized, collecting for any ectoparasites and then their carcasses were dissected for examinations of endoparasites. The result of this study show succesfull live-trap of rodents including Rattus norvegicus (87.5%) and Suncus murinus (12.5%). 50% of sampled rodents were male, 37.5% were female, and 12.5% of female the musk shrew. The presence of helminthes infection in all wild rats, namely Hymenolopis nana, Syphacia obvelata, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Furthermore, the ectoparasites identification were Xenopsylla cheopis, Echinolaelap echidninus, and blood protozoa identifications Trypanosoma lewisi. Based on the results show 100% of wild rats positive infections of endo-ectoparasites. This study indicates to continuous study among rodents’ parasites in wild rats in different urban areas and analysis of their potential impact on public health.

scholarly journals Cross-contamination in Molecular Diagnostic Laboratories in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Challenge to COVID-19 Testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Pia Marie Albano ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

At the start of the pandemic, the Philippines had to send swab samples to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia for COVID-19 confirmation. With the increasing number of suspected cases needing confirmatory diagnostic testing, there was a demand to rapidly expand the capacity for widescale testing. Remarkably, within 200 days from announcement of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the Philippines in January 30, 2020, the country has been able to expand its testing capacity from one national reference laboratory, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), to more than 100 licensed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cartridge-based PCR laboratories across the country. Due to the shortage of a trained clinical laboratory workforce, diagnostic centers are forced to hire additional personnel who have limited experience and technical knowledge and skills of molecular assays, especially in processing specimens, interpreting the results, identifying errors, and troubleshooting, in order to meet the demand of increased testing. Thus, the vulnerability to diagnostic errors, including cross-contamination, is increased and with the tendency for generating false positive results that can compromise the health of the patient and disrupt the efficacy of public health policies and public health response, surveillance programs, and restrictive measures for containing the outbreak. Hence, this review article aims to present the different sources of contamination in the laboratory setting where RT-PCR assays are conducted, as well as provide efficient, effective and feasible solutions to address these issues, most especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like the Philippines.

scholarly journals Development, deployment and in-field demonstration of mobile coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic acid amplification test

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teagan F. Paton ◽  
Ian Marr ◽  
Zoe O’Keefe ◽  
Timothy J. J. Inglis
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Mobile Laboratory ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Biomolecular Systems ◽  
Assay Sensitivity ◽  
Open Platform

Introduction. The evolving SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic presents a series of challenges to clinical diagnostic services. Many proprietary PCR platforms deployed outside centralised laboratories have limited capacity to upscale when public health demands increase. We set out to develop and validate an open-platform mobile laboratory for remote area COVID-19 diagnosis, with a subsequent field trial. Gap Statement. In regional Western Australia, molecular diagnostic support is limited to near point-of-care devices. We therefore aimed to demonstrate open-platform capability in a rapidly deployable format within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology. We compared, selected and validated components of a SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay in order to establish a portable molecular diagnostics laboratory. The optimal combination of PCR assay equipment, reagents and consumables required for operation to national standards in regional laboratories was identified. This comprised RNA extraction and purification (QuickGene-480, Kurabo, Japan), a duplex RT-PCR assay (Logix Smart COVID-19, Co-Diagnostics, USA), a Myra liquid handling robot (Biomolecular Systems, Australia) and a magnetic induction thermal cycler (MIC, Biomolecular Systems). Results The 95 and 99% limits of detection were 1.01 copies μl−1 (5.05 copies per reaction) and 2.80 copies μl−1 (14.00 copies per reaction) respectively. The Co-Diagnostics assay amplified both SARS-CoV-1 and −2 RNA but showed no other cross reactivity. Qualitative results aligned with the reference laboratory SARS-CoV-2 assay (sensitivity 100% [95 % CI 96.48–100%], specificity 100% [95% CI 96.52–100%]). In field trials, the laboratory was operational within an hour of arrival on-site, can process up to 36 samples simultaneously, produces results in two and a half hours from specimen reception, and performed well during six consecutive runs during a 1 week deployment. Conclusion. Our mobile laboratory enables an adaptive response to increased test demand, and unlike many proprietary point-of-care PCR systems, rapid substitution with an alternative assay if gene targets change or reagent supply chains fail. We envisage operation of this RT-PCR assay as a standby capability to meet varying regional test demands under public health emergency operations guidance.

scholarly journals Intestinal parasitic infection among mentally handicapped students in Hamadan, western Islamic Republic of Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Matini ◽  
Maryam Khedri ◽  
Mina Piri
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Mentally Handicapped ◽  
Special Schools ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common public health problems in populations with poor hygiene. Consequently, mental retardation increases the risk of infection. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among mentally disabled children in Hamadan, western Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 318 students in 9 special schools in 2017. Triplicate faecal specimens for each student were subjected to stool analysis using direct wet mount, sedimentation concentration, and permanent staining technique. Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 318 students, 135 (42.5%, 95% CI: 37.1–47.9) were infected with intestinal parasites. Prevalence rates for females and males were 45.2% (61/135) and 40.4% (74/183) respectively. Protozoan infections (42.5%, 135) were more numerous than helminthiasis (0.6%, 2). Blastocystis hominis (28%, 89) was the most common parasite, followed by Giardia lamblia (9.7%, 31), Entamoeba coli (9.1%, 29) and Trichomonas hominis (6%, 19). Conclusions: The high prevalence rate of intestinal protozoan infection reflects poor personal hygiene among the students and inappropriate environmental conditions. Therefore, specific public health measures are required for the mentally handicapped students in special schools.

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