Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA): A Highly Sensitive Diagnostic Biomarker to Detect Active Schistosoma Infections—Improvement and Use during SCORE
Paul L. A. M. Corstjens, Claudia J. de Dood, Stefanie Knopp, Michelle Clements, Giuseppina Ortu, Irenée Umulisa, Eugene Ruberanziza, Udo Wittmann, Thomas Kariuki, Philip T. LoVerde, W. Evan Secor, Lydia S Atkins, Safari Kinung’hi, Sue Binder, Carl H. Campbell, Daniel G. Colley, Govert J. van Dam
Abstract
in low-prevalence settings. Other SCORE-supported CAA work demonstrated that frozen, banked urine specimens yielded similar results to fresh ones; pooling of specimens may be a useful, cost-effective approach for surveillance in some settings; and the assay can be performed in local laboratories equipped with adequate centrifuge capacity. These improvements in the assay continue to be of use to researchers around the world. However, additional work will be needed if widespread dissemination of the CAA assay is to occur, for example, by building capacity in places besides LUMC and commercialization of the assay. Here, we review the evolution of the CAA assay format during the SCORE period with emphasis on urine-based applications.