The primary objective for this request is to evaluate the performance of the Biplex RDT in a cohort of 500 people previously tested for oncho and LF in 2014 (3-year follow up). The evaluation of the Biplex is an add-on to a study that will conduct a longitudinal follow up on a cohort of 500 people from the Tshopo Province. The primary outcomes are serology and clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis, This study also evaluates serology, parasitology and clinical manifestations for other filarial infections, mainly LF, Loa and Mansonella.

Preliminary Findings and Lessons Learned

This study built on an existing onchocerciasis longitudinal follow-up study in Banalia community, Tshopo province, DRC. The location is co-endemic for Oncho, LF, Loa loa and Mansonella perstans.  500 people previously tested in 2014 have been followed up and were retested in 2017.   A total of 239, out of 500, agreed to participate in the follow-up activity and provided a blood specimen.  Thirty percent were positive by skin snip, 3% were positive by FTS, 15% were found to have loa (thick blood film) and 41% had M. perstans.  Ov16 ELISA testing found 67% positive, while the Biplex found 38% Ov16 positive. The sensitivity of the Ov16 biplex compared to the ELISA was 53%.