Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35604904›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2022

Using quantitative PCR to identify opportunities to strengthen soil-transmitted helminth control in Solomon Islands: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey.

Brandon Le, Naomi Clarke, Sze Fui Hii, Aisling Byrne, Patsy A Zendejas-Heredia, Susanna Lake, Oliver Sokana, Alam Khattak, Lucia Romani, Daniel Engelman and 6 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
3.0field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Brandon LeThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-7060-5943
Naomi ClarkeThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-1894-8185
Sze Fui HiiThe University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Aisling ByrneThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Patsy A Zendejas-HerediaThe University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-4072-7728
Susanna LakeMurdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Oliver SokanaMinistry of Health & Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Alam KhattakThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Lucia RomaniThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-9038-5300
Daniel EngelmanMurdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-4909-1287
Titus NasiNational Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Dickson BoaraGizo Hospital, Gizo, Solomon Islands.
John KaldorThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Andrew SteerMurdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Rebecca TraubThe University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Susana Vaz NeryThe Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
UNSW Sydney · AUMurdoch Children's Research Institute · AUThe University of Melbourne · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Kato-Katz microscopy technique is the global standard for assessment of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) burden. However, major limitations include its poor sensitivity, requirement for rapid sample processing, and inability to differentiate hookworm species nor detect Strongyloides spp. infections. We assessed the prevalence and intensity of STH species in Solomon Islands by conducting a province-wide survey using quantitative PCR (qPCR) for diagnosis, which can provide much better characterisation of STH burden than microscopy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL

findingsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey in 18 villages in Western Province to detect infections with six STH species and quantify intensity with three. We used linear mixed model regression to identify potential water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and environmental risk factors for infection. We collected stool specimens from 830 village residents. Overall STH prevalence was 63.3% (range 27.5 to 91.5% across villages), led by Necator americanus (54.5% [range 17.5-89.4%]), followed by Ancylostoma ceylanicum (15.5% [range 2.8-45.8%]), Trichuris trichiura (9.1% [range 0-79.2%]), and Strongyloides spp. (3.2% [range 0-29.2%]). Most infections were of light intensity for N. americanus (85.7%) and T. trichiura (90.7%). Owning a household latrine was associated with a lower risk of N. americanus infection (AOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24-0.68) while greater precipitation was linked to more common T. trichiura infection (AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.25). CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In this first large-scale population survey of STH in the Pacific using qPCR, we found evidence that ivermectin should be incorporated into STH control programmes because of the presence of T. trichiura and Strongyloides spp., both of which are poorly responsive to albendazole. Furthermore, One Health strategies are needed for improved A. ceylanicum and Strongyloides spp. control, WASH access and use should be improved to complement deworming programmes, and control efforts should ideally be expanded to entire communities.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001086257.

Indexed as

HelminthiasisHelminthsSoilAnimalsCross-Sectional StudiesEnvironmental MonitoringFecesMelanesiaPrevalenceReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionRisk FactorsWaterSoilWater

Identifiers

PMID35604904
PMCPMC9126411
OpenAlexW4281288971

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.