Improved Nucleic Acid Amplification Test for the Diagnosis of Onchocerciasis and Its Use for Detection of Circulating Cell-free DNA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The coendemicity of onchocerciasis with other filariae warrants a better diagnostic tool for elimination efforts that are highly sensitive and specific for use in surveillance and xenomonitoring.

Methods

Based on next-generation sequencing data, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays were designed for 15 highly repeated targets from Onchocerca volvulus (Ov) and 11 from Onchocerca ochengi. The 2 most promising repeats Ov15R and Ov16R from Ov and OoR1 and OoR5 from O. ochengi, were selected for further testing.

Results

The analytic sensitivity of Ov15R and Ov16R was similar, with limits of detection at 1 fg and specificity approaching 100%. Using DNA obtained previously from skin snips of participants infected with Ov, Ov16R identified 17 additi

SUBMITTER: Bennuru S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12054724 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature