Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39350071›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2024

Histidine-rich protein (hrp) 2-based RDT false-negatives and Plasmodium falciparum hrp 2 and 3 gene deletions in low, seasonal and intense perennial transmission zones in Cameroon: a cross - sectional study.

Tobias Obejum Apinjoh, Livinus Ngu Tangi, Eniyou Cheryll Oriero, Sainabou Drammeh, Vincent Ntui Ntui-Njock, Blessed Etoketim, Hanesh Fru Chi, Pilate Nkineh Kwi, Bekai Njie, Mary Aigbiremo Oboh and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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

11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  5. Ultrasensitive ELISA for Accurate Detection ofOpen forum infectious diseases · 2025
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  8. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
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  11. Diagnostic accuracy ofExperimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) · 2025
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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

12 authors.

Tobias Obejum ApinjohDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. apinjoh.tobias@ubuea.cm.
Livinus Ngu TangiMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.
Eniyou Cheryll OrieroMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.
Sainabou DrammehMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.
Vincent Ntui Ntui-NjockDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Blessed EtoketimMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.
Hanesh Fru ChiDepartment of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Pilate Nkineh KwiDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Bekai NjieMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.
Mary Aigbiremo ObohMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.
Eric Akum AchidiDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Alfred Amambua-NgwaMedical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia. alfngwa@lshtm.ac.uk.

Funding

DELTAS Africa Initiative 107740/Z/15/ZH3Africa H3AFull/17/008
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFalse negative rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) accruing to the non-detection of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2/3 (Pfhrp2/3) is threatening the diagnosis and management of malaria. Although regular monitoring is necessary to gauge the level of efficacy of the tool, studies in Cameroon remain limited. This study assessed Plasmodium spp. prevalence and Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions across ecological and transmission zones in Cameroon.

methodsThis is a cross-sectional, multi-site, community- and hospital- based study, in 21 health facilities and 14 communities covering all five ecological settings in low seasonal (LS) and intense perennial (IPT) malaria transmission zones between 2019 and 2021. Participants were screened for malaria parasite using Pfhrp2 RDT and light microscopic examination of thick peripheral blood smears. DNA was extracted from dried blood spot using chelex

resultsA total of 3,373 participants enrolled, 1,786 Plasmodium spp. infected, with 77.4% P. falciparum. Discordant RDT and qPCR results (False negatives) were reported in 191 (15.7%) P. falciparum mono-infected samples from LS (29%, 42) and IPT (13.9%, 149). The Pfhrp2+/Pfhrp3 + genotype was most frequent, similar between LS (5.5%, 8/145) and IPT (6.0%, 65/1,076). Single Pfhrp2 and Pfhrp3 gene deletions occurred in LS (0.7%, 1/145 each) and IPT (3.6%, 39/1,076 vs. 2.9%, 31/1,076), respectively. Whilst a single sample harboured Pfhrp2-/Pfhrp3- genotype in LS, 2.4% (26/1,076) were double deleted at IPT. Pfhrp2+/Pfhrp3- (0.3%, 3/1,076) and Pfhrp2-/Pfhrp3+ (1.2%, 13/1,076) genotypes were only observed in IPT. Pfhrp2, Pfhrp3 deletions and Pfhrp2-/Pfhrp3- genotype accounted for 78.8% (26), 69.7% (23) and 63.6% (21) RDT false negatives, respectively.

conclusionPlasmodium falciparum remains the most dominant and widely distributed Plasmodium species across transmission and ecological zones in Cameroon. Although the low prevalence of Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions supports the continued use of HRP2-based RDTs for routine malaria diagnosis, the high proportion of false-negatives due to gene deleted parasites necessitates continued surveillance to inform control and elimination efforts.

Indexed as

Antigens, ProtozoanDiagnostic Tests, RoutineGene DeletionMalaria, FalciparumPlasmodium falciparumProtozoan ProteinsAdolescentAdultAgedCameroonChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFalse Negative ReactionsFemaleHumansAntigens, ProtozoanHRP-2 antigen, Plasmodium falciparumHRP3 protein, Plasmodium falciparumProtozoan ProteinsGene deletionHistidine-rich proteinMalaria diagnosisPlasmodium falciparum

Identifiers

PMID39350071
PMCPMC11443727

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Registered trials

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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.