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Parasite Detection and Disease Diagnosis

Overview

The Department of Parasitology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) is at the forefront of parasitic disease research, offering a wide range and customized consultancy services, accurate parasite detection, and rigorous evaluation of test methods and diagnostic kits. The Department plays a crucial role in enhancing public health by providing reliable diagnostic expertise and solutions in parasitology. Our Department researches infectious parasitic and Neglected Tropical Diseases such as malaria, toxoplasmosis, Trypanosomiasis, Babesiosis, cryptosporidiosis, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, Onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, helminthiasis, among others.

Consultancy Services

Our consultancy services encompass a wide range of activities aimed at supporting healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers. These services include:

Expert Advice: Providing expert advice on parasitic infections, their diagnosis, treatment, and control strategies to country disease control and elimination programmes.

Training and Capacity Building: Conducting trainings  (hands-on workshops and seminars) for healthcare professionals and laboratory technicians on basic and advanced diagnostic techniques and best practices in parasitology.

Research Collaboration: Partnering with local and international researchers and research institutions to develop innovative studies aimed at providing ground-breaking solutions for parasitic diseases.

Parasite Detection, Diagnostic Methods, and Confirmatory Tests

Parasite Detection

The Department of Parasitology employs basic and state-of-the-art techniques to detect parasites from human and animal biological and environmental samples and accurately diagnose parasitic infections. Parasites detected from various biological samples include the following:

  • Blood – Plasmodium spp, Wuchereria bancrofti, Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp, Babesia spp)
  • Stool (human)
    • Intestinal protozoans – Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba spp.
    • soil-transmitted helminths (STH)– Hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis etc,
    • Intestetinal Schistosomes: Schistosoma mansoni
  • Urine – Schistosoma haematobium.
  • Skin/tissues – Onchocerca volvulus, Leishmania spp
Diagnostic Methods
  • Microscopy:
    Utilizing advanced microscopy techniques for the direct visualization of parasites in appropriately processed clinical samples.
  • Molecular Methods:
    Applying standard PCR and other nucleic acid amplification techniques for the precise detection of parasites’ DNA/RNA and species identification.
  • Serological Tests:
    Running ELISA, indirect fluorescence antibody and other immunofluorescence tests, and other serological assays to detect parasite antigens or antibodies specific to parasitic infections.
  • Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)

    Tests (RDTs):  Evaluating RDTs against standard (reference) tests for validation of accuracy and acceptability for use in the healthcare delivery system

Confirmatory Testing

The Department employs a combination of advanced diagnostic techniques to validate initial test results. These include:

  • Molecular:
    Extraction of appropriate nucleic acids from samples and running polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing to confirm the presence and species of parasites.
  • Western Blot:
    Performing Western blot analysis to confirm serological test results and ensure accurate diagnosis.
  • Culture Techniques:
    Culturing parasites in vitro to confirm their viability and identity, particularly for protozoan infections.
  • In vivo inoculation:
    inoculation of mice with suspected parasite suspension from blood sample to isolate parasite (e. g. for Toxoplasma gondii)

Evaluation and Validation of Test Methods and Diagnostic Kits

The Department is dedicated to ensuring the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic tests and kits through the use of rigorous evaluation protocols. This process involves:

  • Performance Assessment: Testing the diagnostic kits against well-characterized clinical samples to assess their performance metrics.
  • Comparative Studies: Comparing new diagnostic methods with established gold-standard techniques to determine their reliability and efficacy.
  • Field Trials: Conducting field trials to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of diagnostic kits in real-world settings.
  • Quality Control: Implementing stringent quality control measures to ensure the consistency and reliability of test results.

Evaluation and Validation of Test Methods and Diagnostic Kits

The Department is dedicated to ensuring the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic tests and kits through the use of rigorous evaluation protocols. This process involves:

  • Performance Assessment: Testing the diagnostic kits against well-characterized clinical samples to assess their performance metrics.
  • Comparative Studies: Comparing new diagnostic methods with established gold-standard techniques to determine their reliability and efficacy.
  • Field Trials: Conducting field trials to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of diagnostic kits in real-world settings.
  • Quality Control: Implementing stringent quality control measures to ensure the consistency and reliability of test results.

Ensuring Quality of Examination

The Department prioritises a robust Quality Management System. Our laboratories are dedicated to adhering to stringent quality assurance protocols. We meticulously monitor examination results through equipment calibration, method verification, and internal and external quality control programs. Our Quality Management System is aligned with ISO 9001 and ISO 15189 standards. The Institutional Quality Office (IQO) develops, disseminates, and ensures the implementation of quality management documentation, including manuals and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Additionally, the IQO conducts scheduled internal audits of our laboratories to ensure compliance with standards and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Opening Times

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 pm; 1:30 pm to 5 p.m.

Sample requirement.

Samples required for most of our tests include stool, urine, blood, and skin snips.

NB:

  1. The test required determines the sample to be collected, the type of receptacle or containers (e.g. tube, etc) to use, and transportation conditions and requirements.
  2. All samples must be transported in suitable containers and conditions and must be well-labeled to avoid rejection.
  3. Samples on request should be submitted to our laboratories through the appropriate channels by 3: 00 p.m.

Requesting Laboratory Examination/Booking Process

  • To request an examination, kindly e-mail the Department Administration (contact Administrator Gloria Tamakloe) at gmtamakloe@ug.edu.gh with the Department’s quality office in copy (qmstparasito@noguchi.ug.edu.gh). For any assistance or further information, please contact the Department’s Administration on +233 24 897 5365.

 

NB: Requests for laboratory examination may be written on the customer’s own request form (from a health facility).

  • Once a completed laboratory examination request is received, the Department’s Administration will email an invoice to the client or patient.
  • After receiving the invoice, payment should be made at the NMIMR Accounts Office, located in the Main Research Building of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. All payments should be made into the Department of Parasitology accounts at the NMIMR.
  • After payment, the client (s) must submit a copy of the payment receipt to the Department of Administration and submit the samples for analysis.

Reporting of results

  • Analysis of samples received will be done within stated timelines depending on the number of samples and the methodology to be used. This will be made known to the client before testing begins.
  • Reports of laboratory examination results are delivered through email, prioritising the confidentiality of data and records. If the client requires a hard copy of the report, this will be made available and can be collected from the Department’s Administration.

Cost/Price of tests/Examination

For information on the cost of the tests mentioned, please contact the Department Administration at +233 24 897 5365. In situations where due to requested or recommended test methods the cost varies, this will be communicated to the client before testing begins.

Terms and conditions

  • Analysis is done on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • The examination request form must be completed in full. Results will be sent via email. When a hard copy is requested, it will be picked up by the client. We do not send hard-copy examination reports by mail.
  • Samples submitted to our laboratories must be properly collected or received and stored. We do not accept responsibility for samples not properly collected or received and stored.
  • Requests for re-analysis of samples will be treated as new requests and must be paid for accordingly.
  • We do not return samples to clients or patients for any reason.

 

NB: We charge an additional fee for samples to be collected by our staff.

For further enquiries, kindly contact us at:

Email: gmtamakloe@ug.edu.gh;

Number: +233 24 897 5365