Multiplex serologic testing within a cross-sectional lymphatic filariasis sentinel site survey in coastal Kenya reveals community-level differences in IgG antibody responses to parasitic diseases and vaccines
Authors: Njenga Sammy M. , Kanyi Henry M. , Arnold Benjamin F. , Matendechero Hadley S. , Onsongo Joyce K. , Won Kimberly Y. , Priest Jeffrey W. 
Published: April 2019

Accurate, cost-effective measurement of the burden of co-endemic infections would enable public health managers to identify opportunities for implementation of integrated control programs. Dried blood spots (DBS) collected during a cross-sectional lymphatic filariasis sentinel site survey in the Kenyan coastal counties of Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta were used for the integrated detection of serologic IgG antibodies against antigens from several parasitic infections (Wuchereria bancrofti,Schistosoma mansoni,Plasmodiumspp,Ascaris lumbricoides, andStrongyloides stercoralis) as well as markers for immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases (measles, diphtheria, and tetanus) on a multiplex bead assay (MBA) platform. High heterogeneity was observed in antibody responses by pathogen and antigen across the sentinel sites. Antibody seroprevalence against Wb123, Bm14, and Bm33 recombinant filarial antigens were generally higher in Ndau Island (p<0.0001), which also had the highest prevalence of filarial antigenemia compared to other communities. Antibody responses to thePlasmodiumspecies antigens CSP and MSP-119were higher in Kilifi and Kwale counties, with Jaribuni community showing higher overall mean seroprevalence (p<0.0001). Kimorigo community in Taita-Taveta County was the only area where antibody responses againstSchistosoma mansoniSm25 recombinant antigen were detected. Seroprevalence rates toStrongyloidesantigen NIE ranged between 3% and 26%, and there was high heterogeneity in immune responses against anAscarisantigen among the study communities. Differences were observed between communities in terms of seroprevalence to vaccine-preventable diseases. Seroprotection to tetanus was lower in all 3 communities in Kwale County compared to the rest of the communities. This study has demonstrated that the MBA platform holds promise for rapid integrated monitoring of trends of infections of public health importance in endemic areas, and assessing the effectiveness of control and elimination programs.

Author Summary

Establishment of successful private-public partnerships in the recent past has led to an increase in resources available for control and elimination of malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Implementation of control and elimination programs and their subsequent monitoring and evaluation would be greatly facilitated by development of new tools and strategies for rapid identification of areas of transmission so that interventions could be prioritized to regions where they were most needed. Since development of antibody responses in a host depend on exposure to an infectious agent, assessment of such serologic markers provides a sensitive way to measure differences between populations in pathogen exposure. Our study applied a state-of-the-art multiplex bead assay platform to perform integrated measurement of antibody responses to multiple parasitic diseases and immunizing antigens for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in ten lymphatic filariasis sentinel sites across the Kenyan coastal region. A community-level analysis of age-specific and overall mean seroprevalence fit using a flexible model ensemble provided an improved understanding about the distributions of the various parasitic infections and seroprotection to VPDs. This study provides an important proof of concept for how we could dramatically increase the value of existing surveillance activities using small volumes of blood collected on filter paper and analyzed using a single multiplex laboratory assay and novel data analysis techniques.