Drugs & Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases (DDTD)
High-Sensitivity, High-Specificity Biplex Ov16/OVOC3261 Rapid Diagnostic Test
- An Ov16/OVOC3261 biplex IgG4 test, whereby we are confident that we can provide > 60% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity, as required by the TPP for Onchocerciasis Elimination Mapping.
- Demonstration that the Ov16/OVOC3261 biplex IgG4 test behaves at least as good with blood as with plasma/serum samples (notably a perceived weakness of the SD Ov16 RDT)
Rapid Diagnostic Test For Lymphatic Filariasis Surveillance : Prioritization of Antigen Candidates Complementary to Wb123
The overall goal of this research proposal is to prioritize the five novel Bancroftian antigen candidates with respect to their ease-of-use and practicability within the frame of a future Wb123/WbAgx biplex test, based on their biophysical properties, stability data and behavior in our lateral flow assay setup. Along with the concurrent biochemical/clinical validation by the Nutman group. This will allow an informed choice as to which candidate antigen(s) should be used for the biplex assay development.
Testing New RDT Formats to Improve Wb123 Test Sensitivity
To test alternative rapid diagnostic test (RDT) formats for the Wb123 rapid test. In field trials, the current test format was less sensitive that FTS in post-MDA settings whereas alternative Wb123 test formats (ELISA, multiplex) were more sensitive. Our group uses new detection systems, based on nanoshells, to improve RDT performance.
A Rapid Loa Antibody Test to Support High Resolution Onchocerciasis Elimination Mapping
Can a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for Loa loa antibodies be used successfully by field teams, in conjunction with the LoaScope, to map loaiasis and determine where it is safe to offer treatment for onchocerciasis?
In principle, the Loa Antibody Rapid Test could be used to conduct rapid surveys to document that Loa prevalence in the surveyed community or district is below an agreed upon threshold, opening up areas to use the of MDA to eliminate onchocerciasis. This tool would complement the use of the Loascope to make treatment decisions. The antibody test would be used at the periphery of the Loa belt or in areas where Loa prevalence was thought to be low (based on previous RAPLOA or environmental factors) to carry out “confirmatory mapping.” The Loascope would be used to make treatment decisions at the community level using the Diggle model or to guide individual treatment decisions based on the TNT strategy. To design a confirmatory mapping survey for Loa based on antibody testing, a number of key scientific questions must be answered: 1) What is the relationship between community Loa prevalence as assessed by the Loascope and Loa rapid antibody test?
Testing New RDT Formats to Improve Wb123 Test Sensitivity
To test alternative rapid diagnostic test (RDT) formats for the Wb123 rapid test. In field trials, the current test format was less sensitive that FTS in post-MDA settings whereas alternative Wb123 test formats (ELISA, multiplex) were more sensitive. Our group uses new detection systems, based on nanoshells, to improve RDT performance.