Survey and diagnostic challenges after transmission-stop: Confirming elimination of schistosomiasis haematobium in Morocco

Abstract

Clinical cases of Moroccan residents have been recorded since 2004, indicating successful interruption of transmission of S. haematobium infection at national level. The first national survey initiated in 2009 for Schistosomiasis haematobium among children born after 2004, applied diagnostic test was the HAMA-EITB, based on the Western blot technology, and molecular malacological diagnostic tools clearly confirm transmission stop. In 2015, a recent, small survey utilizing an HAI, ELISA tests and an ultrasensitive antigen test, FTCUP CAA, in a group of individual with a past history of infection. However, obviously follow-up surveys to prevent reemergency and for certification of the schistosomiasis elimination require vigilant diagnosis strategies. Here we discuss diagnosis story line in the national laboratory and challenges based on the available tools in relation to their clinical parameters (sensitivity/specificity; Sn/Sp), practicability and associated costs. When transmission stop has been achieved, survey cost and speed are likely to benefit from cost effective pooling strategies and ultrasensitive assays indicating active infection in all potential risk groups. Similarly molecular pooling strategies to monitor infections in the snail vectors.