Traveling to field sites
Field workers Gaspard Nzadi, Ondine Ovah and David Moussavou and driver David Dikongo boarding the local ferry to meet recruited participants living in Makouké for sample collection and follow-up visits. Their activities consist of locating where the participants live after signing the informed consent form. They distribute the stool or urine sampling containers and collect samples according to a well-defined schedule.
Recruiting pregnant women
Study physician Josiane Honkpehedji recruiting pregnant women at the CPN at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital. The FreeBILy study is explained to the pregnant women who attend the antenatal care unit. They are provided with all the information concerning themselves and their newborn. Once pregnant women agree to participate, the informed consent is signed as well as screening information and they are included in the study.
Sample analysis
All samples are received and analysed in the Parasitology laboratory of CERMEL, Lambaréné, Gabon. Depending on study phase, sample types are urine, stool or blood. Techniques applied for diagnosis include microscopy for detection of parasitic elements of STH, protozoa and schistosome eggs in urine); POC-CCA (RDT) for schistosomiasis; and lateral flow tests for schistosomiasis (CAA antigen test and SEA antibody test).
Urine microscopy
FreeBILy-technicians reading microscopy slides for S. haematobium eggs and other worm infections.
POC-CCA
POC-CCA test being performed at CERMEL.
UCP-LF CAA assay
Testing urine samples with the recently implemented UCP-LF CAA assay at one of the laboratories of CERMEL. Untill now, approximately 100 urine samples have been analysed by microscopy, POC-CCA, UCP-LF CAA and SEA antibody test.