Prototype multi-biomarker test for point-of-care leprosy diagnostics

A van Hooij, Emtk Fat, D de Jong, M Khatun, S Soren, AS Chowdhury, J Roy, K Alam, JP Kim, Jan hendrik Richardus, A Geluk, Plam Corstjens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)
12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

To end the decade-long, obstinately stagnant number of new leprosy cases, there is an urgent need for field-applicable diagnostic tools that detect infection with Mycobacterium leprae, leprosy's etiologic agent. Since immunity against M. leprae is characterized by humoral and cellular markers, we developed a lateral flow test measuring multiple host proteins based on six previously identified biomarkers for various leprosy phenotypes. This multi-biomarker test (MBT) demonstrated feasibility of quantitative detection of six host serum proteins simultaneously, jointly allowing discrimination of patients with multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy from control individuals in high and low leprosy endemic areas. Pilot testing of fingerstick blood showed similar MBT performance in point-of-care (POC) settings as observed for plasma and serum. Thus, this newly developed prototype MBT measures six biomarkers covering immunity against M. leprae across the leprosy spectrum. The MBT thereby provides the basis for immunodiagnostic POC tests for leprosy with potential for other (infectious) diseases as well.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102006
JournaliScience
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jan 2021

Research programs

  • EMC OR-01

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prototype multi-biomarker test for point-of-care leprosy diagnostics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this