Multiplex Serologic Assessment of Schistosomiasis in Western Kenya: Antibody Responses in Preschool Aged Children as a Measure of Reduced Transmission

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Jun;96(6):1460-1467. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0665.

Abstract

AbstractCurrently, impact of schistosomiasis control programs in Schistosoma mansoni-endemic areas is monitored primarily by assessment of parasitologic indicators only. Our study was conducted to evaluate the use of antibody responses as a way to measure the impact of schistosomiasis control programs. A total of 3,612 serum samples collected at three time points from children 1-5 years of age were tested for antibody responses to two schistosome antigens (soluble egg antigen [SEA] and Sm25) by multiplex bead assay. The overall prevalence of antibody responses to SEA was high at baseline (50.0%). After one round of mass drug administration (MDA), there was minimal change in odds of SEA positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02, confidence interval [CI] = 0.79-1.32, P = 0.89). However, after two rounds of treatment, there was a slight decrease in odds of SEA positivity (OR = 0.80, CI = 0.63-1.02, P = 0.08). In contrast to the SEA results, prevalence of antibody responses to Sm25 was lowest at baseline (14.1%) and higher in years 2 (19.8%) and 3 (18.4%). After one round of MDA, odds of Sm25 positivity increased significantly (OR = 1.51, CI = 1.14-2.02, P = 0.005) and remained significantly higher than baseline after two rounds of MDA (OR = 1.37, CI = 1.07-1.76, P = 0.01). There was a significant decrease in the proportion of 1-year-olds with positive SEA responses from 33.1% in year 1 to 13.2% in year 3 and a corresponding decrease in the odds (OR = 3.25, CI = 1.75-6.08, P < 0.001). These results provide preliminary evidence that schistosomiasis program impact can be monitored using serologic responses.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Antibody Formation*
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Schistosoma mansoni / isolation & purification
  • Schistosomiasis / blood
  • Schistosomiasis / epidemiology*
  • Schistosomiasis / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth