The repository for NTD operational research studies

Can geospatial algorithms be used by disease programs to help identify hotspots at community and Implementation Unit level?

Organize existing data for preparation of LF elimination dossiers based on the PacELF programs.

CCA Protocol: To know the sensitivity and specificity of POC CCA in the detection of urinary schistosomiasis, as compared to traditional diagnostic tools.

To determine the appropriate serologic threshold(s) to be used to initiate MDA for onchocerciasis.

This proof of concept study will take place over a 10-month period. They aim to compare the feasibility and acceptability of mobile gynecological clinics versus traditional, static health posts. The primary research question, Where urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic, can a static health outpost versus a mobile clinic deliver better diagnosis and treatmnet of FGS, HIV, HPV, and cervical cancer in an acceptable and cost-effective manner to women (14-30 years), will be answered through the following activities:

1. Development of a consortium on FGS bringing together high-profile researchers, policy makers, program implementers, and health professionals
2. Training of health professionals (nurses, physicians, community health workers) with follow up sessions to raise awareness and diagnostic capabilities through colposcopic imagery. Health workers in remote areas will utilize telehealth to transmit images for quality checks by a specialist. The team will measure the % correlation between field results and telemedicine results to determine feasibility.
3. Precision mapping in select districts to determine areas with the highest schistosomiasis prevalence through parasitological surveys
4. Pilot test mobile service delivery for FGS, HIV, HPV, and other common gynecological issues in two of the four districts. This will include a cost analysis to make a business case for scalability.

To determine if there is evidence of on-going or recent transmission in the “hotspot” communities of increased risk two years after they were identified during the pre-validation surveys (clinical, antibody and infection data).

Develop a mobile reader application for use at the point-of care for the POC-CCA assay used for mapping and surveillance of Schistosoma mansoni. The reader apk will provide results consistent with the visual human reading of the test. Distinguishing intensity bands and reading 'Trace' results can be problematic and leads commonly to 'false positive' readings. The apk being developed will utilize a testing algorithm to better distinguish between true positive and false positive "Trace" test results. 

Screening Tool POC/CCA: PCR comparative studies

This is a cross-reactivity evaluation of rapid tests detecting Wb123 antibodies. The test should perform similarly in sub-populations of individuals who are positive and negative for other filarial diseases, most importantly Loa loa. This field evaluation will determine the specificity of the tests in two separate populations, those positive and negative for Loa loa, and will be used to inform the product design and the product insert. This evaluation will recruit adults and children from regions that are known to have Loa loa in Cameroon.

 The study’s principal objective is to determine test specificity in individuals who are positive and negative for the filarial worm Loa loa. Secondary objectives are to determine the test specificity in individuals who are positive and negative for Mansonella perstans, and identify failure modes and failure rates of the rapid tests under surveillance conditions.

This is a cross-reactivity evaluation of rapid tests detecting Wb123 antibodies. The test should perform similarly in sub-populations of individuals who are positive and negative for other filarial diseases, most importantly Loa loa. This field evaluation will determine the specificity of the tests in two separate populations, those positive and negative for Loa loa, and will be used to inform the product design and the product insert. This evaluation will recruit adults and children from regions that are known to have Loa loa in Cameroon.

The study’s principal objective is to determine test specificity in individuals who are positive and negative for the filarial worm Loa loa. Secondary objectives are to determine the test specificity in individuals who are positive and negative for Mansonella perstans, and identify failure modes and failure rates of the rapid tests under surveillance conditions.

Determine Co-Endemicity of Lymphatic Filariasis and Loiais in the Republic of Congo