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Background

Access to an accurate diagnostic test for Buruli ulcer (BU) is a research priority according to the World Health Organization. Nucleic acid amplification of insertion sequence IS2404 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive and specific method to detect Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans), the causative agent of BU. However, PCR is not always available in endemic communities in Africa due to its cost and technological sophistication. Isothermal DNA amplification systems such as the recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) have emerged as a molecular diagnostic tool with similar accuracy to PCR but having the advantage of amplifying a template DNA at a constant lower temperature in a shorter time. The aim of this study was to develop RPA for the detection of M. ulcerans and evaluate its use in Buruli ulcer disease.

Methodology and principal findings

A specific fragment of IS2404 of M. ulcerans was amplified within 15 minutes at a constant 42°C using RPA method. The detection limit was 45 copies of IS2404 molecular DNA standard per reaction. The assay was highly specific as all 7 strains of M. ulcerans tested were detected, and no cross reactivity was observed to other mycobacteria or clinically relevant bacteria species. The clinical performance of the M. ulcerans (Mu-RPA) assay was evaluated using DNA extracted from fine needle aspirates or swabs taken from 67 patients in whom BU was suspected and 12 patients with clinically confirmed non-BU lesions. All results were compared to a highly sensitive real-time PCR. The clinical specificity of the Mu-RPA assay was 100% (95% CI, 84–100), whiles the sensitivity was 88% (95% CI, 77–95).

Conclusion

The Mu-RPA assay represents an alternative to PCR, especially in areas with limited infrastructure.

The upcoming International Society for Vaccines (ISV) Annual Congress will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the SwissTech Convention Center on October 22-24, 2023. The ISV Congress The 2023 ISV Annual Congress welcomes delegates from all over the world to present and discuss the latest insights in Vaccinology.

The SwissTech Convention Center is in the Lake Geneva region, in the western part of Switzerland, close to historical Lausanne. Lausanne is easily accessible by public transport from close by Geneva airport, which has direct flight connections to Paris, London, Brussels, Berlin, and Madrid. Lausanne boasts one of the highest concentrations of research centers in Switzerland. A place of knowledge, innovation, and creativity, the city is home to several world-renowned researchers of many disciplines including vaccinology, immunotherapeutics, cancer, infectious diseases, artificial intelligence, and many more. In addition, the Lausanne region is home to leading small, medium, and large pharmaceutical enterprises.  Whether from academia, clinical research, or pharma and biotech, the comprehensive and vibrant scientific environment will provide an exciting venue to ISV attendees. The 2023 Congress is co-chaired by Xavier Saelens, Ken Ishii, Bruno Correia, and Giuseppe Pantaleo. 

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) is a European programme which supports researchers' career development, through international and inter-sectorial mobility, as well as innovative training both at PhD and postdoc level. It also funds doctoral programmes. EDCTP was invited to take part in a seminar with 150 participants held 6-7 November 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

Shingai Machingaidze (EDCTP Project Officer) participated in a panel discussion titled 'Bridging MSCA with existing networks and on-going initiatives'. EDCTP was also represented by 8 EDCTP Fellows as well as 4 junior researchers from the EDCTP Regional Networks of Excellence.

"Formation virtuelle sur les outils AVAREF pour l'évaluation des protocoles de recherche clinique" (French only)   

5, 6 & 8 April 2022 | 10:00 - 13:00 GMT https://tinyurl.com/jtfvdnx2