We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Diagnostic Methods Compared for Soil-Transmitted Helminths

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 22 Aug 2019
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a group of intestinal parasitic worms that excrete eggs through feces, which contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor and infect the human host orally or through skin contact.

The main STH species are the giant roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), and the two hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). More...
They affect one-fifth of the world population, mainly in sub-tropical and tropical regions, and are responsible for more than three million disability-adjusted life years.

An international team of scientists working under the auspices of the Ghent University (Merelbeke, Belgium) designed as a series of drug efficacy trials in three STH endemic countries (Ethiopia, Lao PDR and Tanzania). The selection of these sites was based on their experience in assessing drug efficacy. The team evaluated the performance of diagnostic methods, the availability of well-equipped diagnostic facilities and skilled personnel, and preventive chemotherapy (PC) history.

The scientists compared the diagnostic performance of a single Kato-Katz (reference method) with that of other microscopy-based methods: duplicate Kato-Katz, Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAKG2 and one DNA-based method (qPCR) for the detection and quantification of STH infections in three drug efficacy trials in the three countries. Furthermore, they evaluated a selection of minimal diagnostic criteria of the target product profiles (TPPs).

The investigators reported that all diagnostic methods showed a clinical sensitivity of ≥90% for all STH infections of moderate-to-heavy intensities. For infections of very low intensity, only qPCR resulted in a sensitivity that was superior to a single Kato-Katz for all STHs. Compared to the reference method, both Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAKG2 resulted in significantly lower fecal egg counts for some STHs, leading to a substantial underestimation of the infection intensity. For qPCR, there was a positive significant correlation between the egg counts of a single Kato-Katz and the DNA concentration. The Mini-FLOTAC method had a slightly higher clinical sensitivity compared to a single Kato-Katz for T. trichiura and hookworm but had a significantly lower clinical sensitivity for A. lumbricoides.

The authors concluded that their results indicate that the diagnostic performance of a single Kato-Katz is underestimated by the community, and that diagnostic specific thresholds to classify intensity of infection are warranted for Mini-FLOTAC, FECPAKG2 and qPCR. When they strictly apply the TPPs, Kato-Katz is the only microscopy-based method that meets the minimal diagnostic criteria for application in the planning, monitoring and evaluation phase of an STH program. The polymerase chain reaction was the only method that could be considered in the phase that aims to seek confirmation for cessation of program. The study was published on August 1, 2019, in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Related Links:
Ghent University


New
Gold Member
Latex Test
SLE-Latex Test
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B Combo Card Test
CerTest Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B
New
Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Assay
LIAISON Anti-TPO
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
These images illustrate how precision oncology Organ Chips recapitulate individual patients’ responses to chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.