Targeting a highly repetitive genomic sequence for sensitive and specific molecular detection of the filarial parasite Mansonella perstans from human blood and mosquitoes
Authors: Pilotte Nils , Thomas Tamara , Zulch Michael , Sirois Allison R. , Minetti Corrado , Reimer Lisa , Williams Steven A. , Saunders Lori 
Published: July 2022

Background

Mansonella perstans is among the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases, and is believed to cause more human infections than any other filarial pathogen in Africa. Based largely upon assumptions of limited infection-associated morbidity, this pathogen remains understudied, and many basic questions pertaining to its pathogenicity, distribution, prevalence, and vector-host relationships remain unanswered. However, in recent years, mounting evidence of the potential for increased Mansonella infection-associated disease has sparked a renewal in research interest. This, in turn, has produced a need for improved diagnostics, capable of providing more accurate pictures of infection prevalence, pathogen distribution, and vector-host interactions.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Utilizing a previously described pipeline for the discovery of optimal molecular diagnostic targets, we identified a repetitive DNA sequence, and developed a corresponding assay, which allows for the sensitive and species-specific identification of M. perstans in human blood samples. Testing also demonstrated the ability to utilize this assay for the detection of M. perstans in field-collected mosquito samples. When testing both sample types, our repeat-targeting index assay outperformed a ribosomal sequence-targeting reference assay, facilitating the identification of additional M. perstans-positive samples falsely characterized as “negative” using the less sensitive detection method.

Conclusions/Significance

Through the development of an assay based upon the systematic identification of an optimal DNA target sequence, our novel diagnostic assay will provide programmatic efforts with a sensitive and specific testing platform that is capable of accurately mapping M. perstans infection and determining prevalence. Furthermore, with the added ability to identify the presence of M. perstans in mosquito samples, this assay will help to define our knowledge of the relationships that exist between this pathogen and the various geographically relevant mosquito species, which have been surmised to represent potential secondary vectors under certain conditions. Detection of M. perstans in mosquitoes will also demonstrate proof-of-concept for the mosquito-based monitoring of filarial pathogens not vectored primarily by mosquitoes, an approach expanding opportunities for integrated surveillance.

Author Summary

Infection with Mansonella perstans remains exceedingly common in many of the world’s tropical and sub-tropical regions. However, M. perstans is largely understudied due to the long-held belief that this pathogen is of little clinical significance. However, in recent years, many within the research community have begun to advocate for the increased study of this pathogen, pointing to evidence of mansonellosis-associated disease morbidity, the potential for Mansonella spp. to confound diagnostic testing for other pathogens, and the possibility for co-infections with M. perstans to impact disease progression and treatment outcomes for other infections. As a result of this growing appreciation of the importance of M. perstans, there exists a need for improved diagnostic options, capable of providing researchers with the tools required to accurately and effectively map infection, explore the pathogen-vector relationship, and determine pathogen prevalence. In response to these needs, we have developed a novel real-time PCR assay targeting a highly repetitive DNA sequence within the M. perstans genome. This index assay outperformed a ribosomal-sequence targeting reference assay when comparatively testing both human blood and field-collected mosquito samples. As such, this assay will provide researchers with an improved tool for the identification of M. perstans as part of various operational research efforts.