Utility of recombinant Schistosoma bovis 22.6 kDa antigen for diagnosis of human urogenital schistosomiasis by ELISA: a cross-sectional study in Yewa North LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria.
6 affiliations
- 1Cellular Parasitology Programme, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. [email protected].
- 2Cellular Parasitology Programme, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
- 3Parasitology Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
- 4Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, València, Spain.
- 5Joint Unit of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, IIS La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
- 6Animal Parasitology, Institute of Natural Resources and Agrobiology, Spanish National Research Council (IRNASA, CSIC), Salamanca, Spain.
Abstract
Background
In many endemic regions, accurately diagnosing urogenital schistosomiasis remains challenging, particularly in cases of low-intensity infection and limited laboratory capacity. Exploring antigens that cross-react between related schistosome species provides a promising alternative to conventional diagnostic approaches. Schistosoma bovis-an animal parasite closely related to S. haematobium and sharing the same Bulinus snail hosts in overlapping habitats- is a strong candidate for such studies. This work therefore assessed whether the recombinant S. bovis 22.6 kDa antigen (rSb22.6 kDa) could detect anti-schistosome antibodies in urine samples from individuals living in S. haematobium-endemic communities in Nigeria.Methods
Urine samples from 559 individuals (290 adults and 269 children; 235 males and 313 females) from four communities and schools in Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria, were collected. Samples were examined for S. haematobium eggs by microscopy, screened for anti-schistosomal antibodies using rSb 22.6 kDa ELISA, and analyzed for haematuria, leukocyturia, and proteinuria using reagent strips.Results
Prevalence by microscopy was 13.9% (78/558), while 54.1% (299/553) of samples were seropositive by ELISA. Among ELISA-positive individuals, 29.8% had haematuria, 47.9% had leukocyturia, and 37.1% had proteinuria. Of 480 microscopy-negative individuals, 221 (46.0%) were ELISA-positive. When microscopy was used as the reference standard, the rSb 22.6 kDa-ELISA showed 46.2% sensitivity and 45.8% specificity. However, ELISA positivity correlated significantly with clinical markers of urogenital pathology (P < 0.05).Conclusion
The rSb 22.6 kDa antigen demonstrated cross-reactivity with antibodies in urine from individuals in S. haematobium-endemic communities. The high seropositivity compared to microscopy prevalence may reflect detection of low-intensity infections, past exposure with persistent antibodies, or ongoing transmission intensity in these communities. While the current performance of the assay does not support its use for individual diagnosis, it shows potential for sero-epidemiological surveillance in endemic areas. Further validation studies incorporating molecular diagnostics and longitudinal follow-up will clarify the significance of antibody positivity in the absence of detectable eggs.Clinical trial number
Not applicable.
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BibTeX
@article{anumudu2026utility,
title = {{Utility of recombinant Schistosoma bovis 22.6 kDa antigen for diagnosis of human urogenital schistosomiasis by ELISA: a cross-sectional study in Yewa North LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria.}},
author = {Chiaka Anumudu and Abiola Ola and Maureen Efenovwe and Oluwayemisi Awobode and Rachael Ebuh and Cephas Akpabio and Christopher Anthony and Taiwo Banjo and Henrietta Awobode and Maria Trelis and Antonio Marcilla and Ana Oleaga},
journal = {BMC infectious diseases},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12879-026-14048-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907751},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Utility of recombinant Schistosoma bovis 22.6 kDa antigen for diagnosis of human urogenital schistosomiasis by ELISA: a cross-sectional study in Yewa North LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria.
AU - Chiaka Anumudu
AU - Abiola Ola
AU - Maureen Efenovwe
AU - Oluwayemisi Awobode
AU - Rachael Ebuh
AU - Cephas Akpabio
AU - Christopher Anthony
AU - Taiwo Banjo
AU - Henrietta Awobode
AU - Maria Trelis
AU - Antonio Marcilla
AU - Ana Oleaga
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC infectious diseases
DO - 10.1186/s12879-026-14048-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907751
AB - Background In many endemic regions, accurately diagnosing urogenital schistosomiasis remains challenging, particularly in cases of low-intensity infection and limited laboratory capacity. Exploring antigens that cross-react between related schistosome species provides a promising alternative to conventional diagnostic approaches. Schistosoma bovis-an animal parasite closely related to S. haematobium and sharing the same Bulinus snail hosts in overlapping habitats- is a strong candidate for such studies. This work therefore assessed whether the recombinant S. bovis 22.6 kDa antigen (rSb22.6 kDa) could detect anti-schistosome antibodies in urine samples from individuals living in S. haematobium-endemic communities in Nigeria.Methods Urine samples from 559 individuals (290 adults and 269 children; 235 males and 313 females) from four communities and schools in Yewa North Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria, were collected. Samples were examined for S. haematobium eggs by microscopy, screened for anti-schistosomal antibodies using rSb 22.6 kDa ELISA, and analyzed for haematuria, leukocyturia, and proteinuria using reagent strips.Results Prevalence by microscopy was 13.9% (78/558), while 54.1% (299/553) of samples were seropositive by ELISA. Among ELISA-positive individuals, 29.8% had haematuria, 47.9% had leukocyturia, and 37.1% had proteinuria. Of 480 microscopy-negative individuals, 221 (46.0%) were ELISA-positive. When microscopy was used as the reference standard, the rSb 22.6 kDa-ELISA showed 46.2% sensitivity and 45.8% specificity. However, ELISA positivity correlated significantly with clinical markers of urogenital pathology (P < 0.05).Conclusion The rSb 22.6 kDa antigen demonstrated cross-reactivity with antibodies in urine from individuals in S. haematobium-endemic communities. The high seropositivity compared to microscopy prevalence may reflect detection of low-intensity infections, past exposure with persistent antibodies, or ongoing transmission intensity in these communities. While the current performance of the assay does not support its use for individual diagnosis, it shows potential for sero-epidemiological surveillance in endemic areas. Further validation studies incorporating molecular diagnostics and longitudinal follow-up will clarify the significance of antibody positivity in the absence of detectable eggs.Clinical trial number Not applicable.
SN - 1471-2334
ER -