Molecular technique utilising sputum for detecting Wuchereria bancrofti infections in Malindi, Kenya.
BACKGROUND
Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical parasitic disease which has been identified for elimination by 2020 through mass drugs administration. There is a major problem in its diagnosis and sensitive surveillance methods for monitoring the disease elimination programs need to be sought.


OBJECTIVE
To establish and evaluate the usefulness of a Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR assay employing sputum for diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infections in an endemic location.


METHODS
Community based samples collection and a molecular laboratory technologies study.


METHODS
Mpirani, Malindi District and Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute.


METHODS
Sputum samples were obtained from 304 willing and consenting participants, aged between 5 and 73 years resident in Mpirani, Malindi District.


RESULTS
Prevalence of W. bancrofti infection was found to be 42.8% (130/304) by PCR assay employing sputum compared with 22.0% (67/304) and 38.8% (119/304) respectively for microfilaria counts and ICT. The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR sputum assay was 97.5 and 92.4% respectively. Predictive values were 89.2 and 98.3% for positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) respectively while accuracy was 94.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
The molecular PCR assay using sputum was found to have a great potential for use in mass diagnosis and in epidemiological studies in patients with W. bancrofti infections
Kagai
J M
JM
Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
Mpoke
S
S
Muli
F
F
Hamburger
J
J
Kenya
E U
EU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000302:isolation & purification*