Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39919090›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Highly sensitive molecular assay based on Identical Multi-Repeat Sequence (IMRS) algorithm for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection.

Clement Shiluli, Shwetha Kamath, Bernard N Kanoi, Racheal Kimani, Bernard Oduor, Hussein M Abkallo, Michael Maina, Harrison Waweru, Moses Kamita, Nicole Pamme and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

14 authors.

Clement ShiluliCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1909-3791
Shwetha KamathDivision of Research and Development, Jigsaw Bio Solutions Private Limited, Bangalore, India.
Bernard N KanoiCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.
Racheal KimaniCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1614-4637
Bernard OduorAnimal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Hussein M AbkalloAnimal and Human Health Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Michael MainaCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.
Harrison WaweruCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.
Moses KamitaCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.
Nicole PammeDepartment of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Joshua DupatyDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Catherine M KlapperichDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Srinivasa Raju LolabattuDivision of Research and Development, Jigsaw Bio Solutions Private Limited, Bangalore, India.
Jesse GitakaCentre for Research in Infectious Diseases, College of Graduate Studies and Research, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7516-522X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAnnually, approximately 174 million people globally are affected by Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) infection. Half of these infections occur in resource-limited regions. Untreated T. vaginalis infections are associated with complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes mostly seen in women. In resource-limited regions, the World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for syndromic case management. However, this can lead to unnecessary treatment. Accurate diagnosis of T. vaginalis is required for effective and prompt treatment. Molecular tests such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) have the advantage of having a short turn-around time and allow the use of non-invasive specimens such as urine and vaginal swabs. However, these diagnostic techniques have numerous disadvantages such as high infrastructure costs, false negative and positive results, and interstrain variation among others. This study aimed to evaluate the use of identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) as amplification primers for developing ultrasensitive diagnostic for T. vaginalis.

methodsWe used genome-mining approaches based on identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) algorithm to identify sequences distributed on the T. vaginalis genome to design a primer pair that targets a total of 69 repeat sequences. Genomic T. vaginalis DNA was diluted from 5.8×102 to 5.8×10-4 genome copies/μl and used as a template in the IMRS-based amplification assay. For performance comparison, 18S rRNA PCR assay was employed.

resultsThe T. vaginalis -IMRS primers offered a higher test sensitivity of 0.03 fg/μL compared to the 18S rRNA PCR (0.714 pg/μL). The limit of detection for the Isothermal assay was 0.58 genome copies/mL. Using real-time PCR, the analytical sensitivity of the T. vaginalis -IMRS primers was <0.01 pg/μL, equivalent to less than one genome copy/μL.

conclusionDe novo genome mining of T. vaginalis IMRS as amplification primers serves as a platform for developing ultrasensitive diagnostics for Trichomoniasis and a wide range of infectious pathogens.

Indexed as

AlgorithmsMolecular Diagnostic TechniquesRepetitive Sequences, Nucleic AcidTrichomonas InfectionsTrichomonas vaginalisTrichomonas VaginitisDNA, ProtozoanFemaleHumansPolymerase Chain ReactionSensitivity and SpecificityDNA, Protozoan

Identifiers

PMID39919090
PMCPMC11805422

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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.