How qPCR complements the WHO roadmap (2021-2030) for soil-transmitted helminths

Marina Papaiakovou; D Timothy J Littlewood; Robin B Gasser; Roy M Anderson

doi:10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.005

How qPCR complements the WHO roadmap (2021-2030) for soil-transmitted helminths

Trends Parasitol. 2021 Aug;37(8):698-708. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.005. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Authors

Marina Papaiakovou¹, D Timothy J Littlewood², Robin B Gasser³, Roy M Anderson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, London, UK. Electronic address: m.papaiakovou@imperial.ac.uk.
² Science Directorate, Natural History Museum, London, UK; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, London, UK.
³ Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
⁴ Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Imperial College London, London, UK.

PMID: 33931342
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.005

Abstract

Complementing the launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap (2021-2030) we explore key elements needing attention before recruitment of qPCR as the main diagnostics tool to confirm reduction or elimination of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) transmission in both control and elimination programmes. Given the performance limitations of conventional methods, a proposed harmonised qPCR will provide a diagnostic tool, with the sensitivity and specificity required to monitor low-intensity infections, following mass drug administration (MDA). Technical and logistical challenges associated with introducing qPCR as a stand-alone tool are highlighted, and a decision-making scheme on how qPCR can support surveillance, resistance detection, and elimination is presented. An accurate point-of-care (POC) diagnostic test needs to be developed to support STH control in the field, and STH biorepositories need to be established and maintained to ensure that reference materials are available for research and validation.

Keywords: WHO NTD roadmap; harmonisation; molecular diagnostics; qPCR; soil-transmitted helminths; standardisation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
Helminthiasis / diagnosis
Helminthiasis / drug therapy
Helminthiasis / prevention & control*
Helminthiasis / transmission
Helminths
Humans
Preventive Health Services*
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Soil / parasitology*
World Health Organization

Substances

Anthelmintics
Soil

Grants and funding

MR/R015600/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom