Use of a rapid digital microfluidics-powered immunoassay for assessing measles and rubella infection and immunity in outbreak settings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278749
• Publication Date: 2022-12-21T18:24:15Z
• Authors: Alaine K. Knipes; Aimee Summers; Alexandros A. Skl...; Julian Lamanna; Richard P. S. de ...; Tanya Narahari; Christopher Dixon; Ryan Fobel; Yassa D. Ndjakani; Leopold Lubula; Alain Magazani; Jean Jacques Muyembe; Yvonne Lay; Elizabeth Pukuta; Diane Waku-Kouomou; Lijuan Hao; Jolie Kasongo Kay...; Christian Fobel; Joshua Dahmer; Adam Lee; Man Ho; Jose Gilberto Cam...; Darius G. Rackus; Roger Shih; Brendon Seale; Ann Chang; Gilson Paluku; Paul A. Rota; Aaron R. Wheeler; Heather M. Scobie
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Congenital rubella syndrome; Herd Immunity; Immunoglobulin M

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a high measles incidence despite elimination efforts and yet to introduce rubella vaccine. We evaluated performance prototype rapid digital microfluidics powered (DMF) enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) assessing infection, by testing for immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunity from natural infection or vaccine, G (IgG), in outbreak settings. Field evaluations were conducted during September 2017, Kinshasa province, DRC. Blood specimens collected an investigation suspected cases tested IgM IgG using DMF-ELISA field. Simultaneously, household serosurvey was recently confirmed area. results compared with reference ELISA at DRC’s National Public Health Laboratory US Centers Disease Control Prevention. Of 157 cases, detected 54% while 13%. Measles IgG-positive higher among vaccinated persons (87%) than unvaccinated (72%). In recent area, seroprevalence 93% overall, lower children (77%) women (98%). Compared ELISA, sensitivity specificity 82% 78% IgG; 88% 89% IgM; 85% 81% 83% IgM, respectively. Rubella more half meeting case definition presumed outbreak, suggesting substantial unrecognized incidence, highlighting need vaccine introduction into national schedule. suggested that this technology can be used develop diagnostic tests rubella.