Evaluation of microscopy, serology, circulating anodic antigen (CAA), and eosinophil counts for the follow-up of migrants with chronic schistosomiasis: a prospective cohort study

Tamarozzi, F.; Ursini, T.; Hoekstra, P.T.; Silva, R.; Costa, C.; Gobbi, F.; ... ; Buonfrate, D. (2021)

Article / Letter to editor

Background: An accurate test for the diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up of patients with schistosomiasis is needed. We assessed the performance of different laboratory parameters, including the up-converting reporter particle technology lateral flow assay to detect circulating anodic antigen (UCP-LF CAA), for the post-treatment follow-up of schistosomiasis in migrants attending a dedicated outpatient clinic in a non-endemic country.Methods: Routine anti-Schistosoma serology results and eosinophil counts were obtained of patients with positive urine/stool microscopy and/or PCR (confirmed cases) or only positive serology (possible cases), and at least one follow-up visit at 6 (T6) or 12 (T12) months after praziquantel treatment. All sera samples were tested with the UCP-LF CAA assay.Results: Forty-eight patients were included, 23 confirmed and 25 possible cases. The percentage seropositivity and median antibody titers did not change significantly during follow-up. UCP-LF CAA was positive in 86.9% of confirmed and 20% of possible cases. The percentage positivity and median CAA levels decreased significantly post-treatment, with only two patients having positive CAA levels at T12.Conclusions: The UCP-LF CAA assay proved useful for the diagnosis of active infection with Schistosoma spp. and highly valuable for post-treatment monitoring in migrants, encouraging the development of a commercial test.

• Schistosomiasis
• Diagnosis
• Follow-up
• Circulating anodic antigen (CAA)
• Serology
• Microscopy
• Migrants

• All authors: Tamarozzi, F.; Ursini, T.; Hoekstra, P.T.; Silva, R.; Costa, C.; Gobbi, F.; Monteiro, G.B.; Motta, L.; Dam, G.J. van; Corstjens, P.L.; Lieshout, L. van; Buonfrate, D.
• Date: 2021-03-09
• Journal: Parasites and Vectors
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• DOI: doi:10.1186/s13071-021-04655-z
• Link: https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s13071-0...