Point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen positivity and associated factors in school children one year after mass praziquantel administration in an endemic district in Ghana

Tukwarlba, Isaac and Aninagyei, Enoch and Mavis, Puopelle Dakorah and Attoh, Juliana and Duedu, Kwabena and Kumi, Justice and Ampem-Danso, Eunice and Acheampong, Desmond Omane (2024) Point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen positivity and associated factors in school children one year after mass praziquantel administration in an endemic district in Ghana. Heliyon, 10 (7). e28529. ISSN 2405-8440

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Abstract

Background
Mass drug administration of praziquantel is expected to reduce Schistosome carriage in treated children in endemic communities. However, the effectiveness of this annual exercise has not been assessed in Ghana. Therefore, this study aimed to detect viable Schistosoma mansoni infection using point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) positivity as proxy and associated factors in children previously treated with praziquantel in an endemic municipality in Ghana.
Materials and methods
This cross-sectional study was done in the Assin Central municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. School children, less than 16 years of age, treated with 40 mg/kg of praziquantel (treatment period: February–March 2019), provided early morning urine (∼40 mL) and stool (∼4 g) samples. Immediately, POC-CCA (ICT International, South Africa) was done, while S. mansoni ova were detected in formalin fixed samples using microscopy later. Additionally, participant's socio-demographic information and factors associated with S, mansoni infection transmission were collected from each child.
Results
A total of 520 children participated in the study (males-51.9%, majority age range [9–11 years, 34.4%]). Overall, 244 (46.9%) were positive for urinary CCA with no S. mansoni detected by microscopy. POC-CCA positivity was higher in females (48.4%), children with 2–3 siblings (49.3%), children aged 6–8-year range (55.4%) and residents of Brofoyedur (52%). However, age (x2 = 16.1, p = 0.0003) and town of residence (x2 = 11.7, p = 0.019) associated with CCA positivity. Further, location of water body (x2 = 16.4, p = 0.008), frequency of water contact (x2 = 12.3, p = 0.015) and handling of the Biomphalaria intermediate host (x2 = 5.1, p = 0.024) associated with POC-CCA outcome.
Conclusion
About 47% of the school children were positive for CCA, one year after mass praziquantel administration in the Assin Central municipality. Varied factors associated with the post-praziquantel administration POC-CCA positivity. This study should be replicated in other endemic areas to identify groups at risk of parasite persistence or reinfection to inform modification of control and preventive measures.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28529
Dates:
Date
Event
20 March 2024
Accepted
1 April 2024
Published Online
Subjects: CAH03 - biological and sport sciences > CAH03-01 - biosciences > CAH03-01-01 - biosciences (non-specific)
Divisions: Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Life Sciences
Depositing User: Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited: 24 Apr 2024 15:03
Last Modified: 12 Jun 2024 11:49
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15395

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