Integrated xenosurveillance of Loa loa, Wuchereria bancrofti, Mansonella perstans and Plasmodium falciparum using mosquito carcasses and faeces: A pilot study in Cameroon.

Pryce, Joseph, Pilotte, Nils, Menze, Benjamin, Sirois, Allison R, Zulch, Michael, Agbor, Jean Pierre, Williams, Steven A, Wondji, Charles ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0791-3673 and Reimer, Lisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9711-4981 (2022) 'Integrated xenosurveillance of Loa loa, Wuchereria bancrofti, Mansonella perstans and Plasmodium falciparum using mosquito carcasses and faeces: A pilot study in Cameroon.'. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 16, Issue 11, e0010868.

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Abstract

Background

Community presence of loiasis must be determined before mass drug administration programmes for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis can be implemented. However, taking human blood samples for loiasis surveillance is invasive and operationally challenging. A xenosurveillance approach based on the molecular screening of mosquitoes and their excreta/feces (E/F) for Loa loa DNA may provide a non-invasive method for detecting the community presence of loiasis.

Methods

We collected 770 wild mosquitoes during a pilot study in a known loiasis transmission area in Mbalmayo, Cameroon. Of these, 376 were preserved immediately while 394 were kept in pools to collect 36-hour E/F samples before processing. Carcasses and E/F were screened for L. loa DNA. To demonstrate this method’s potential for integrated disease surveillance, the samples were further tested for Wuchereria bancrofti, Mansonella perstans, and Plasmodium falciparum.

Results

Despite limited sample numbers, L. loa DNA was detected in eight immediately-stored mosquitoes (2.13%; 95% CI 1.08 to 4.14), one carcass stored after providing E/F (0.25%; 95% CI 0.04 to 1.42), and three E/F samples (estimated prevalence 0.77%; 95% CI 0.15 to 2.23%). M. perstans and P. falciparum DNA were also detected in carcasses and E/F samples, while W. bancrofti DNA was detected in E/F. None of the carcasses positive for filarial worm DNA came from pools that provided a positive E/F sample, supporting the theory that, in incompetent vectors, ingested parasites undergo a rapid, complete expulsion in E/F.

Conclusions

Mosquito xenosurveillance may provide a useful tool for the surveillance of loiasis alongside other parasitic diseases.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QX Parasitology > Protozoa > QX 135 Plasmodia QX Parasitology > QX 20 Research (General) QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 510 Mosquitoes WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 695 Parasitic diseases (General) WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 880 Filariasis and related conditions (General) WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 885 Onchocerciasis
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010868
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	03 Jan 2023 08:26
Last Modified:	03 Jan 2023 08:26
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/21586

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