Immunoglobulin M seroneutralization for improved confirmation of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in a flavivirus-endemic area by Bharucha, T, Ayhan, N, Pastorino, B, Rattanavong, S, Vongsouvath, M, Mayxay, M, Changthongthip, A, Sengvilaipaseuth, O, Phonemixay, O, Pommier, J-D, Gorman, C, Zitzmann, N, Newton, PN, de Lamballerie, X, Dubot-Pérès, A

“…Limitations in the specificity of this test are increasingly apparent with the introduction of JEV vaccinations and the endemicity of other cross-reactive flaviviruses. Virus neutralization testing (VNT) is considered the gold standard, but it is challenging to implement and interpret. …”

Febrile Illness Evaluation in a Broad Range of Endemicities (FIEBRE): protocol for a multisite prospective observational study of the causes of fever in Africa and Asia by Hopkins, H, Bassat, Q, Chandler, CL, Crump, JA, Feasey, NA, Ferrand, RA, Kranzer, K, Lalloo, DG, Mayxay, M, Newton, PN, Mabey, D, FIEBRE Consortium

“…The Febrile Illness Evaluation in a Broad Range of Endemicities (FIEBRE) study seeks to address these information gaps. …”

Estimating the subnational prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A infections in 75 endemic countries, 1990–2019: a modelling study by Browne, AJ, Chipeta, MG, Fell, FJ, Haines-Woodhouse, G, Kashef Hamadani, BH, Kumaran, EAP, Robles Aguilar, G, McManigal, B, Ashley, EA, Basnyat, B, Chansamouth, V, Dunachie, SJ, Henry, NJ, Karkey, A, Mayxay, M, Newton, PN, Phommasone, K, Pokharel, S, Pollard, AJ, Roberts, T, Shakya, M, Turner, C, Day, NPJ, Sartorius, B, Dolecek, C

“…We provide estimates of the prevalence of AMR <i>S</i> Typhi and <i>S</i> Paratyphi A in 75 endemic countries, including 30 locations without data.…”

Using rapid diagnostic tests as a source of viral RNA for dengue serotyping by RT-PCR - a novel epidemiological tool by Vongsouvath, M, Phommasone, K, Sengvilaipaseuth, O, Kosoltanapiwat, N, Chantratita, N, Blacksell, S, Lee, S, de Lamballerie, X, Mayxay, M, Keomany, S, Newton, P, Dubot-Pérès, A

“…Background<br/> Dengue virus infection causes major public health problems in tropical and subtropical areas. In many endemic areas, including the Lao PDR, inadequate access to laboratory facilities is a major obstacle to surveillance and study of dengue epidemiology. …”

Using rapid diagnostic tests as a source of viral RNA for dengue serotyping by RT-PCR - A novel epidemiological tool. by Vongsouvath, M, Phommasone, K, Sengvilaipaseuth, O, Kosoltanapiwat, N, Chantratita, N, Blacksell, S, Lee, S, de Lamballerie, X, Mayxay, M, Keomany, S, Newton, P, Dubot-Pérès, A

“… <h4>Background</h4> <p>Dengue virus infection causes major public health problems in tropical and subtropical areas. In many endemic areas, including the Lao PDR, inadequate access to laboratory facilities is a major obstacle to surveillance and study of dengue epidemiology. …”

Diagnostic accuracy of an in-house Scrub Typhus enzyme linked immunoassay for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies in Laos. by Elders, PND, Dhawan, S, Tanganuchitcharnchai, A, Phommasone, K, Chansamouth, V, Day, NPJ, Garcia-Rivera, JA, Hertz, JC, Mayxay, M, Vongsouvath, M, Dubot-Pérès, A, Robinson, MT, Newton, PN, Blacksell, SD

“…Further studies are required to authenticate the use of these cut-offs in other endemic regions. This in-house ELISA has the potential to replace the imperfect IFA, which could ultimately reduce the burden of scrub typhus by improving the rate of scrub typhus diagnoses in endemic low-resource areas.…”

Meta-transcriptomic identification of hepatitis B virus in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with central nervous system disease by Pettersson, J, Piorkowski, G, Mayxay, M, Rattanavong, S, Vongsouvath, M, Davong, V, Alfsnes, K, Eldholm, V, De Lamballerie, X, Holmes, E, Newton, P, Dubot-Pérès, A

“…In countries with high levels of HBV endemicity, the virus is likely to be found in patients diagnosed with CNS infections, although whether it contributes to symptoms and pathology, or is simply a coincidental infection, is unknown and merits further investigation.…”

Genetic analysis of the dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene from geographically diverse isolates of Plasmodium malariae. by Tanomsing, N, Imwong, M, Pukrittayakamee, S, Chotivanich, K, Looareesuwan, S, Mayxay, M, Dolecek, C, Hien, T, do Rosario, V, Arez, A, Michon, P, Snounou, G, White, N, Day, N

“…Plasmodium malariae, the parasite responsible for quartan malaria, is transmitted in most areas of malaria endemicity and is associated with significant morbidity. …”

An open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 7,000 worldwide samples by Ahouidi, A, Ali, M, Almagro-Garcia, J, Amato, R, Ashley, E, Auburn, S, Boni, M, Busby, G, Day, NPJ, Dolecek, C, Dondorp, A, Fanello, C, Hien, TT, Hart, L, Henrichs, C, Hubbart, C, Jeffery, B, Jeffreys, AE, Johnson, KJ, Kwiatkowski, DP, Kyaw, MP, Marsh, K, Mayxay, M, Miles, A, Miotto, O, Nosten, F, Pearson, R, Phyo, AP, Price, R, Rockett, KA, Rowlands, K, Simpson, VJ, Wendler, J, White, NJ, Wright, I

“…Here we describe a new release of curated genome variation data on 7,000 Plasmodium falciparum samples from MalariaGEN partner studies in 28 malaria-endemic countries. High-quality genotype calls on 3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short indels were produced using a standardised analysis pipeline. …”

A need to raise the bar - A systematic review of temporal trends in diagnostics for Japanese encephalitis virus infection, and perspectives for future research by Bharucha, T, Shearer, FM, Vongsouvath, M, Mayxay, M, de Lamballerie, X, Newton, PN, Zitzmann, N, Gould, E, Dubot-Pérès, A

“…<br><br> Conclusion A fundamental pre-requisite for the control of JE is lacking --- that of a simple and specific diagnostic procedure that can be adapted for point-of-care tests and readily used throughout JE endemic regions of the world. …”

Pf7: an open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples by Abdel Hamid, MM, Abdelraheem, MH, Acheampong, DO, Ahouidi, A, Ali, M, Almagro-Garcia, J, Amambua-Ngwa, A, Amaratunga, C, Amenga-Etego, L, Andagalu, B, Anderson, T, Andrianaranjaka, V, Aniebo, I, Aninagyei, E, Ansah, F, Ansah, PO, Apinjoh, T, Arnaldo, P, Ashley, E, Auburn, S, Awandare, GA, Ba, H, Baraka, V, Barry, A, Bejon, P, Bertin, GI, Boni, MF, Borrmann, S, Bousema, T, Bouyou-Akotet, M, Branch, O, Bull, PC, Cheah, H, Chindavongsa, K, Chookajorn, T, Chotivanich, K, Claessens, A, Conway, DJ, Corredor, V, Courtier, E, Craig, A, D'Alessandro, U, Dama, S, Day, N, Denis, B, Dhorda, M, Diakite, M, Djimde, A, Dolecek, C, Dondorp, A, Faiz, A, Fanello, CA, Marsh, K, Mayxay, M, Miotto, O, Nosten, F, Price, RN

“…It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented. …”

Perception of health risks in Lao market vendors by Philavong, C, Pruvot, M, Reinharz, D, Mayxay, M, Khammavong, K, Milavong, P, Rattanavong, S, Horwood, PF, Dussart, P, Douangngeun, B, Theppangna, W, Fine, AE, Robinson, MT, Newton, PN

“…However, their role in circulation and transmission of both endemic and emerging disease is a source of concern in a region considered a hotspot of disease emergence. …”

Typhoid in Laos: An 18-year perspective by Roberts, T, Rattanavong, S, Phommasone, K, Chansamouth, V, Davong, V, Keoluangkhot, V, Hongsakhone, S, Bounsavath, N, Mayxay, M, Vongsouvath, M, Dance, DAB, Newton, PN

“…Although typhoid is endemic to Southeast Asia, very little is known about the disease in Laos. …”

Defining the burden of febrile illness in rural South and Southeast Asia: an open letter to announce the launch of the Rural Febrile Illness project by Chandna, A, Chew, R, Shwe Nwe Htun, N, Peto, T, Zhang, M, Liverani, M, Brummaier, T, Phommasone, K, Perrone, C, Phyo, AP, Ibna Zaman, S, Sandar Zaw, A, Batty, E, Waithira, N, Abdad, MY, Blacksell, S, Bodhidatta, L, Callery, J, Fagnark, W, Huangsuranun, W, Islam, S, Lertcharoenchoke, S, Lohavittayavikant, S, Mukaka, M, Pongvongsa, T, Ponsap, P, Richard-Greenblatt, M, Schilling, WHK, Thaipadungpanit, J, Tripura, R, Dondorp, A, Mayxay, M, White, N, Nosten, F, Smithuis, F, Ashley, E, Maude, R, Day, NPJ, Lubell, Y, Et al

“…It will define the epidemiological baseline of febrile illness in nine remote and underserved areas of Asia where malaria endemicity is declining and access to health services is limited. …”

Prototype Positive Control Wells for Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests: Prospective Evaluation of Implementation among Health Workers in Lao People's Democratic Republic and Uganda. by Bell, D, Bwanika, J, Cunningham, J, Gatton, M, González, I, Hopkins, H, Kibira, S, Kyabayinze, D, Mayxay, M, Ndawula, B, Newton, P, Phommasone, K, Streat, E, Umlauf, R

“…Qualitative data revealed PCWs as a way to confirm RDT quality and restore confidence in RDT results. HWs in malaria-endemic areas are able to use prototype PCWs for quality control of malaria RDTs. …”

Climatic drivers of melioidosis in Laos and Cambodia: a 16-year case series analysis by Bulterys, P, Bulterys, M, Phommasone, K, Luangraj, M, Mayxay, M, Kloprogge, S, Miliya, T, Vongsouvath, M, Newton, P, Phetsouvanh, R, French, C, Miller, J, Turner, P, Dance, D

“…Burkholderia pseudomallei is the cause of melioidosis, a serious and difficult to treat infection that is endemic throughout the tropics. Melioidosis incidence is highly seasonal. …”

A prospective hospital study to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests for the early detection of leptospirosis in Laos by Dittrich, S, Boudthasavong, L, Keokhamhoung, D, Phuklia, W, Craig, S, Tulsiani, S, Burns, M, Weier, S, Dance, D, Davong, V, Vongsouvath, M, Mayxay, M, Phetsouvanh, R, Newton, P, Woods, K

“…These findings emphasize the need for extensive prospective evaluations in multiple endemic settings to establish the value of rapid tools for diagnosing fevers to allow targeted antibiotics.…”

Modelling the Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Biomarker Tests as Compared with Pathogen-Specific Diagnostics in the Management of Undifferentiated Fever in Remote Tropical Setting... by Lubell, Y, Althaus, T, Blacksell, S, Paris, D, Mayxay, M, Pan-Ngum, W, White, L, Day, N, Newton, P

“…Malaria accounts for a small fraction of febrile cases in increasingly large areas of the malaria endemic world. Point-of-care tests to improve the management of non-malarial fevers appropriate for primary care are few, consisting of either diagnostic tests for specific pathogens or testing for biomarkers of host response that indicate whether antibiotics might be required. …”

Low Zika virus seroprevalence in Vientiane, Laos, 2003-2015 by Pastorino, B, Sengvilaipaseuth, O, Chanthongthip, A, Vongsouvath, M, Souksakhone, C, Mayxay, M, Thirion, L, Newton, P, De Lamballerie, X, Dubot-Pérès, A

“…Zika virus (ZIKV) has been presumed to be endemic in Southeast Asia (SEA), with a low rate of human infections. …”

Towards malaria elimination in Savannakhet, Lao PDR: mathematical modelling driven strategy design. by Tun, S, von Seidlein, L, Pongvongsa, T, Mayxay, M, Saralamba, S, Kyaw, S, Chanthavilay, P, Celhay, O, Nguyen, T, Tran, T, Parker, D, Boni, M, Dondorp, A, White, L

“…There is an urgent need to consider alternative, accelerated strategies to eliminate malaria in countries like Lao PDR, where there are a few remaining endemic areas. A deterministic compartmental modelling tool was used to develop an integrated strategy for P. falciparum elimination in the Savannakhet province of Lao PDR. …”