Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon

Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Gabon. Our study aimed to detect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the qPCR technique compared to microscopy for the detection of <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> at the community lev...

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Main Authors: Lady Charlène Kouna, Sandrine Lydie Oyegue-Liabagui, Chenis Nick Atiga, Chérone Nancy Mbani Mpega Ntigui, Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou, Jean Claude Biteghe BI Essone, Steede Seinnat Ontoua, Diamella Nancy Moukodoum, Alain Prince Okouga, Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1052
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author Lady Charlène Kouna
Sandrine Lydie Oyegue-Liabagui
Chenis Nick Atiga
Chérone Nancy Mbani Mpega Ntigui
Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou
Jean Claude Biteghe BI Essone
Steede Seinnat Ontoua
Diamella Nancy Moukodoum
Alain Prince Okouga
Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki
author_facet Lady Charlène Kouna
Sandrine Lydie Oyegue-Liabagui
Chenis Nick Atiga
Chérone Nancy Mbani Mpega Ntigui
Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou
Jean Claude Biteghe BI Essone
Steede Seinnat Ontoua
Diamella Nancy Moukodoum
Alain Prince Okouga
Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki
author_sort Lady Charlène Kouna
collection DOAJ
description Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Gabon. Our study aimed to detect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the qPCR technique compared to microscopy for the detection of <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> at the community level in a semi-rural area. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. Urine samples were examined using Urine TICK test strips, a filtration technique, and qPCR. <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> was detected by targeting the Dra1 gene. Results: The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was determined and the performance of real-time PCR and urine strips was compared with that of urinary filtration. A total of 281 participants were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was increased slightly with the molecular technique (40.9%) compared to microscopy (36.7%), and the hematuria rate with Urine STICK was 33.5%. SAC (5–14 years old), Pre-SAC (>5 years old), and adolescents (15–17 years old) were the most affected group according to, respectively, whatever method was used. qPCR showed good agreement with microscopy, as well as excellent sensitivity (99.03%) and specificity (93.3). There was a good correlation between the number of eggs per 10 mL and the cycle threshold range. Conclusion: These results show the importance of using a combination of diagnostic tools in the surveillance of schistosomiasis, particularly in preschool children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, and chronic and asymptomatic cases.
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spelling doaj-art-7568a9aedfb946038bc823def078bc2c2025-08-20T02:58:47ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-04-01159105210.3390/diagnostics15091052Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East GabonLady Charlène Kouna0Sandrine Lydie Oyegue-Liabagui1Chenis Nick Atiga2Chérone Nancy Mbani Mpega Ntigui3Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou4Jean Claude Biteghe BI Essone5Steede Seinnat Ontoua6Diamella Nancy Moukodoum7Alain Prince Okouga8Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki9Unité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonUnité d’Evolution, Epidémiologie et Résistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche Médicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, GabonBackground: Urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Gabon. Our study aimed to detect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the qPCR technique compared to microscopy for the detection of <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> at the community level in a semi-rural area. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. Urine samples were examined using Urine TICK test strips, a filtration technique, and qPCR. <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> was detected by targeting the Dra1 gene. Results: The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was determined and the performance of real-time PCR and urine strips was compared with that of urinary filtration. A total of 281 participants were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was increased slightly with the molecular technique (40.9%) compared to microscopy (36.7%), and the hematuria rate with Urine STICK was 33.5%. SAC (5–14 years old), Pre-SAC (>5 years old), and adolescents (15–17 years old) were the most affected group according to, respectively, whatever method was used. qPCR showed good agreement with microscopy, as well as excellent sensitivity (99.03%) and specificity (93.3). There was a good correlation between the number of eggs per 10 mL and the cycle threshold range. Conclusion: These results show the importance of using a combination of diagnostic tools in the surveillance of schistosomiasis, particularly in preschool children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, and chronic and asymptomatic cases.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1052<i>Schistosoma haematobium</i>urinaryqPCRurine stickfiltration
spellingShingle Lady Charlène Kouna
Sandrine Lydie Oyegue-Liabagui
Chenis Nick Atiga
Chérone Nancy Mbani Mpega Ntigui
Roméo Karl Imboumy-Limoukou
Jean Claude Biteghe BI Essone
Steede Seinnat Ontoua
Diamella Nancy Moukodoum
Alain Prince Okouga
Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki
Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon
Diagnostics
<i>Schistosoma haematobium</i>
urinary
qPCR
urine stick
filtration
title Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon
title_full Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon
title_fullStr Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon
title_full_unstemmed Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon
title_short Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon
title_sort molecular detection of urogenital schistosomiasis in community level in semi rural areas in south east gabon
topic <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i>
urinary
qPCR
urine stick
filtration
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/9/1052
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