Evaluation of copromicroscopy and serology to measure the exposure to Ascaris infections across age groups and to assess the impact of 3 years of biannual mass drug administration in Jimma Town, Ethiopia.

摘要: Background: The scientific community has recently summarized the desired characteristics for diagnostic tools across different phases of a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) mass drug administration (MDA) program. Although serology meets some criteria, there is scarcity data on baseline serological profiles in human populations, both prior to and during MDA programs. Methods: In this study, we compared copromicroscopic infection 600 school-aged children (SAC) adults at advent program Jimma Town, Ethiopia. were examined by two ELISAs that measure IgG4 responses Ascaris suum haemoglobin antigen (AsHb) somatic extract lung stage larvae (AsLungL3). Three years into program, sampled another group SAC from same schools assess reduction prevalence intensity infections measured copromicroscopy serology. Principal findings: Prior start MDA, revealed an 31.0% mean fecal egg count 2,919 eggs per gram (EPG) SAC. Following three biannual treatment, reduced 13.2% (57.8% reduction) 1,513 EPG (48.1% reduction). This was also reflected results. seroprevalence with 40.9% 27.4% optical density ratio 44.2% 38.2% as AsHb or AsLungL3 ELISA respectively. We showed that, despite decreasing coproprevalence, increased age. Conclusions: study first provide response endemic population A. antigens. results suggest exposure infectious stages reaches beyond alone. Furthermore, it highlights possible use assays monitor changes STH programs.