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




Clinical Antibody Test to Quickly Detect Even Low Levels of Common Parasitic Infection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 23 Oct 2024
Print article
Image: The new tool could improve diagnosis of a common tropical disease (Photo courtesy of Sci. Transl. Med. (2024). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk7832)
Image: The new tool could improve diagnosis of a common tropical disease (Photo courtesy of Sci. Transl. Med. (2024). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adk7832)

Neglected tropical diseases encompass a range of conditions that impact millions of individuals worldwide, primarily in impoverished regions, yet they often lack the scientific focus they require. Schistosomiasis is one such disease—a chronic parasitic infection affecting approximately 250 million people across 78 countries, especially in Africa and Latin America. Due to the limited research on schistosomiasis, advancements in diagnostic tools and treatments frequently take a backseat. Existing diagnostics for schistosomiasis do not consistently identify the infection in its early or mild stages, and blood tests often struggle to differentiate between active and past infections. If left undiagnosed and untreated, schistosomiasis can result in severe complications affecting the bladder or liver. Researchers have now identified methods to detect schistosomiasis when other, less sensitive tests fail, allowing for earlier treatment that can improve long-term outcomes.

The research findings, reported by the team at Emory University’s School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA, USA) in Science Translational Medicine, indicate potential for developing a clinical antibody test that can swiftly and easily identify even low levels of the infection. The traditional gold standard for diagnosis is the microscopic visualization of schistosoma parasite eggs, a process that can be labor-intensive and may miss infections. By integrating their expertise in infectious diseases with biological data analytics, the researchers devised a novel and previously unrecognized method for diagnosing schistosomiasis. They employed interpretable machine learning to distinguish individuals with active infections from those with past infections. Their machine learning platform was able to identify groups of biomarkers for schistosomiasis that provided valuable insights into the disease's progression in specific patients.

When comparing healthy individuals to those with infections across two human cohorts from Brazil and Kenya, the researchers uncovered previously uncharacterized signatures of active disease that can facilitate more accurate diagnosis. According to the team, basing the diagnosis on the characteristics of groups of antibodies rather than the quantity of a single marker will enhance the reliability of early disease detection. Ultimately, the researchers aim to scale the antibody test sufficiently so that it can replace many existing diagnostic techniques and be implemented quickly and easily in rural areas where schistosomiasis is most commonly found. They are optimistic that the collaboration between infectious disease expertise and machine-assisted data analysis can significantly contribute to public health.

New
Gold Member
ANA & ENA Screening Assays
ANA and ENA Assays
Automated Blood Typing System
IH-500 NEXT
New
PSA Test
Human Semen Rapid Test
New
Centrifuge
Centrifuge 5430/ 5430 R

Print article

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: Personalized blood count could lead to early intervention for common diseases (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Personalized CBC Testing Could Help Diagnose Early-Stage Diseases in Healthy Individuals

A complete blood count (CBC) screening is a standard examination most physicians request for healthy adults. This test is essential for evaluating a patient’s overall health with a single blood sample.... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Concept for the device. Memory B cells able to bind influenza virus remain stuck to channels despite shear forces (Photo courtesy of Steven George/UC Davis)

Microfluidic Chip-Based Device to Measure Viral Immunity

Each winter, a new variant of influenza emerges, posing a challenge for immunity. People who have previously been infected or vaccinated against the flu may have some level of protection, but how well... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Tropical Fever Panel has received U.S. FDA Special 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of bioMérieux)

Syndromic PCR Test Rapidly and Accurately Identifies Pathogens in Patients with Tropical Fever Infections

Tropical fevers refer to infections that are common in, or unique to, tropical and subtropical regions. As these diseases spread to previously unaffected areas and can be brought in by travelers, infections... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.