Field applicability of a rapid-format anti-Ov-16 antibody test for the assessment of onchocerciasis control measures in regions of endemicity.
BACKGROUND
A previously developed, specific, rapid-format immunochromatographic card test that detects immunoglobulin G4 to the recombinant Onchocerca volvulus antigen Ov-16 was modified to detect antibodies in whole blood.


METHODS
Ov-16 card test results were assessed in 1511 subjects > or =2 years of age in 7 West African villages with varying histories of onchocerciasis control measures.


RESULTS
In villages in which control measures had been implemented, anti-Ov-16 antibody prevalence rates ranged from 5.2% to 65.1%. Antibody prevalence rates were close to zero among subjects born after effective control measures had been implemented. In 2 villages without a history of control measures where onchocerciasis was endemic, microfilariae (MF) prevalence rates were 82.8% and 65.1%, and antibody prevalence rates were 73.1% and 62.1%. In these 2 villages, the sensitivity of the Ov-16 card test was 81.1% and 76.5%, the specificity was 100%, and the positive predictive value was 91.8% and 80.5%. MF and antibody prevalence rates were correlated (Spearman's r=0.815; P<.038).


CONCLUSIONS
The Ov-16 card test is field applicable, exhibits high sensitivity and specificity for O. volvulus infection, and has great potential as a tool for surveillance and for evaluating the success of onchocerciasis control measures.
Lipner
Ettie M
EM
Office of Global Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Dembele
Noumouza
N
Souleymane
Sanou
S
Alley
William Soumbey
WS
Prevots
D Rebecca
DR
Toe
Laurent
L
Boatin
Boayke
B
Weil
Gary J
GJ
Nutman
Thomas B
TB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth