A comparison of two tests for filarial antigenemia in areas in Sri Lanka and Indonesia with low-level persistence of lymphatic filariasis following mass drug administration
Yahathugoda, T. C.; Supali, T.; Rao, R. U.; Djuardi, Y.; Stefani, D.; Pical, F.; Fischer, P. U.; Lloyd, M. M.; Premaratne, P. H.; Weerasooriya, M. V.; Weil, G. J.
Citation:
"Yahathugoda, T.C., Supali, T., Rao, R.U., Djuardi, Y., Stefani, D., Pical, F., Fischer, P.U., Lloyd, M.M, Premaratne, P.H., Weerasooriya, M.V. and Wei,l G.J. (2015). A comparison of two tests for filarial antigenemia in areas in Sri Lanka and Indonesia with low-level persistence of lymphatic filariasis following mass drug administration. Parasites & Vectors,8, 369."
Date:
2015-07-15
Abstract:
Background: Filarial antigen tests are key tools for mapping the distribution of bancroftian filariasis and for detecting
areas with persistent infections following mass drug administration (MDA). A recent study showed that the new Alere
Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) has better analytical sensitivity than the BinaxNOW Filariasis card test (Card Test) for detecting
circulating filarial antigen, and the FTS detected more positive results than the Card Test in a field study performed in a
highly endemic area in Liberia.
Methods: The present study compared the performance of the FTS and the Card Test in community surveys that were
conducted in southern Sri Lanka and in Indonesia (Central Java) in areas with low-level persistence of LF following
multiple rounds of MDA with diethylcarbamazine plus albendazole. The studies were performed in densely populated
semi-urban areas where Wuchereria bancrofti is transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus.
Results: Antigenemia rates by FTS were 138 % higher in the Sri Lanka study (43/852 vs. 18/852) and 21 % higher in the
Indonesia study (50/778 vs. 41/778) than antigenemia rates by Card Test. Antigenemia rates were significantly higher in
males than in females and higher in adults than in children in both study sites. Although overall antigenemia rates and
test scores were significantly higher by FTS than by Card Test in both study areas, rates in young children were similar
with both tests in both areas.
Conclusions: These results extend the previously reported superior sensitivity of the FTS to areas with low residual
infection rates following MDA, and this could affect mapping and post-MDA survey results in adults. However,
our findings suggest that results of transmission assessment surveys (TAS) performed in school-aged children
are likely to be similar with both tests.
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