Validation of ultrasound bioimaging to predict worm burden and treatment efficacy in preclinical filariasis drug screening models.

ABSTRACT: Filariasis is a global health problem targeted for elimination. Curative drugs (macrofilaricides) are required to accelerate elimination. Candidate macrofilaricides require testing in preclinical models of filariasis. The incidence of infection failures and high intra-group variation means that large group sizes are required for drug testing. Further, a lack of accurate, quantitative adult biomarkers results in protracted timeframes or multiple groups for endpoint analyses. Here we evaluate intra-vital ultrasonography (USG) to identify B. malayi in the peritonea of gerbils and CB.17 SCID mice and assess prognostic value in determining drug efficacy. USG operators, blinded to infection status, could detect intra-peritoneal filarial dance sign (ipFDS) with 100% specificity and sensitivity, w

SUBMITTER: Marriott AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5897408 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature