Search

Objective: Schistosomiasis japonica is an important helminthic disease in Asia. Sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools are indispensable for clinical diagnosis, screening infection and monitoring its control. In this study, we developed an immunochromatographic test (Sj-ICT) to detect anti-Schistosoma japonicum immunoglobulin G antibodies in human sera. Methods: Somatic extract from adult S. japonicum was used as an antigen. The Sj-ICT was developed and optimized as a point-of-care test. All 214 human serum samples were evaluated for diagnostic usefulness and comparison with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the Sj-ICT were 90.8%, 87.9%, 86.4%, 91.9% and 89.3%, respectively. For ELISA the values were respectively 91.8%, 87.9%, 86.5%, 92.7% and 89.7%. The concordance between both methods was 86.4 % (Cohen’s kappa value = 0.729). Conclusions: The immunochromatographic test kit developed can support clinical diagnosis and large-scale surveys in endemic areas without requiring additional facilities or ancillary supplies.

DNA-sequencing was performed on the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA genes to investigate the microbial diversity of five samples of fermented freshwater fish (pla-ra) from three provinces in northeastern Thailand. The samples had salt concentrations ranging from 7 to 10%, pH values from 4.83 to 7.15, and D-/L-lactic acid concentrations of 90 to 450 mg/l. A total of 598 operational taxonomic units were annotated at various taxonomic ranks based on the SILVA Database. The lactic-acid and halophilic genera Tetragenococcus, Halanaerobium and Lactobacillus were among the dominant taxa of bacteria. The top 20 non-redundant taxa were considered in more detail. In two pla-ra samples, Tetragenococcus muriaticus was commonly identified. Halanaerobium fermentans was the most abundant species in a third sample and co-dominant in another sample. Lactobacillus rennini was dominant in the pla-ra sample from Roi Et Province. Additionally, other beneficial bacteria were detected including Staphylococcus nepalensis, Lactobacillus sakei, Lactobacillus pentosus, Weissella confusa, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Differences between samples may be due to use of different raw materials, salt concentrations, recipes, processes and fermentation periods. The microbial communities in pla-ra provide a better understanding of the production outcomes of traditional products. Further optimization of the fermentation process, for example by using dominant bacterial taxa in starter cultures, may improve processes of food fermentation, food quality and flavor control, providing useful guidelines for industrial applications.

Human strongyloidiasis is an important soil-transmitted helminthiasis that affects millions worldwide and can develop into fatal systemic strongyloidiasis in immunosuppressed patients. We have developed two new rapid and simple-to-use immunochromatographic test (ICT) kits for rapid serodiagnosis that support stool examination for clinical diagnosis. Strongyloides stercoralis recombinant IgG immunoreactive antigen (GenBank: AAB97359.1; rSsIR-based ICT kit) was used for detection of IgG and IgG4 antibodies. The diagnostic efficacy of both kits was evaluated using human serum samples from strongyloidiasis patients, healthy individuals, and those with other parasitosis. At a prevalence of infection of 36.4%, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the rSsIR-based IgG ICT kit were 91.7%, 83.8%, 76.4%, 94.6%, and 86.7%, respectively, and those of the rSsIR-based IgG4 ICT kit were 78.3%, 84.8%, 74.6%, 87.3%, and 82.4% respectively. The concordance between the two kits was 89.7%. The recombinant antigen can be produced to an unlimited extent and the kits can be used as point-of-care diagnostic tools and in large-scale surveys in endemic areas throughout tropical regions without necessitating additional facilities or ancillary supplies.