Sensitivity and specificity of microscopic and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of taeniasis

Andrew Larkins; Breanna Knight; Boualy Keokhamphavanh; Kelly Taggart; Sarah Keatley; Bounnaloth Insisiengmay; Amanda Ash

doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107414

Back

Sensitivity and specificity of microscopic and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of taeniasis

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Sensitivity and specificity of microscopic and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of taeniasis

Andrew Larkins, Breanna Knight, Boualy Keokhamphavanh, Kelly Taggart, Sarah Keatley, Bounnaloth Insisiengmay and Amanda Ash

Acta tropica, Vol.260, 107414

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107414

Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements

Files and links (1)

pdf

Published1.04 MBDownload View

CC BY V4.0, Open Access

Abstract

Bayesian analysis

Diagnostic tests

Laos

Neglected tropical diseases

Taenia solium

zoonoses

Background and Objectives The diagnostic challenges associated with T. solium continue to hamper control efforts of the world's most significant foodborne parasite and leading cause of epilepsy in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to validate two conventional PCRs for taeniasis and estimate the diagnostic performance of microscopic and molecular tools. Methods Formalin and ethanol-fixed samples were tested by formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT), Malachite smear, McMaster2 method, rrnS PCR and cox1 PCR. Initial validation of PCR methods was completed on 45 microscopy positive individuals. After validation, the performance of microscopic methods and the rrnS were estimated using samples from 1,156 individuals in Laos. Bayesian latent class models (BLCMs) and a composite reference standard were used to estimate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results On preliminary validation the rrnS was able to detect 27/45 (60.00%) infections whereas the cox1 detected 21/45 (46.67%). As a result, the cox1 was excluded from further performance analysis. Microscopy methods and the rrnS were highly specific with estimates above 99.02% regardless of analytical method. The rrnS was the most sensitive test by informed BCLM (91.45%, CrI: 73.41–99.52%) followed by the FECT (71.20%, CrI: 50.53–85.48%), McMaster2 (51.31%, CrI: 32.00–71.29%) and Malachite smear (32.23%, CrI: 15.40–54.47%). Discussion The inability to validate the cox1 PCR suggests that it may not be suitable in its current form for routine characterisation of Taenia spp. detected by microscopy. The rrnS presents a suitable alternative to the cox1, however, requires its products to be sequenced. Given the low prevalence of taeniasis in most populations, this should be a feasible approach that may be able to be integrated with existing soil-transmitted helminth surveys that often use FECT for microscopic diagnosis.

Details

Title: Sensitivity and specificity of microscopic and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of taeniasis
Authors/Creators: Andrew Larkins - Murdoch University
Breanna Knight - School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
Boualy Keokhamphavanh - Department of Disease Control
Kelly Taggart - Murdoch University
Sarah Keatley - Murdoch University
Bounnaloth Insisiengmay - Department of Disease Control
Amanda Ash - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Acta tropica, Vol.260, 107414
Publisher: Elsevier B.V
Identifiers: 991005707051907891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Metrics

42 Record Views