Senior Research Scientist
dr. Govert van Dam
Research
Since my PhD in 1995 I focused my research on the validation and implementation of CAA and CCA diagnostic tests in resource-constrained environments, maintaining optimal sensitivity and specificity and enabling detection up to single worm infections in laboratory and experimental studies as well as human infections. The UCP-LF CAA test was developed in close collaboration with Dr. Paul Corstjens and his team (CCB). A rapid diagnostic field test has been made available since 2008 through Rapid Medical Diagnostics, and more recently by Landcent BV and Mondial Diagnostics, as a commercial test (urine POC-CCA). This test is recommended by the WHO as a replacement for Kato-Katz microscopy for schistosomiasis mansoni. Implementation of the POC-CCA in rural clinical settings for testing and treatment was evaluated in an EDCTP-funded clinical trial in Madagascar, www.freeBILy.eu. Digital imaging and mobile health applications of POC-CCA in rural settings are being studied through the MEDSCAN project in Kenya and through the HOTSPOT project in Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to being used as a general high-accuracy reference test, the UCP-LF CAA test is also used for routine clinical diagnosis and in experimental and immuno-epidemiological studies. An RDT based on detection of CAA in capillary blood is being developed under supervision of FIND Diagnostics, Geneva.
Curriculum Vitae
In 1987 I graduated in analytical chemistry at Utrecht University. To pursue a career in tropical diseases, I obtained my PhD (cum laude) in 1995 on immunological and biochemical studies into the host-parasite relationship of Schistosoma.
Since 1997, I have participated in several immuno-epidemiological studies in endemic areas in Africa (e.g. Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Gabon South-Africa) and China, which has led to the development of field-friendly, accurate diagnostics using detection of the schistosome antigens CAA and CCA.
Recently, I have also been involved in public-private partnerships to make these diagnostics available as affordable commercial rapid diagnostic tests (according to the REASSURED criteria), in particular the POC-CCA.
Links
Publications
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Sensitive diagnostic tools and targeted drug administration strategies are needed to eliminate schistosomiasis.
Amoah AS, Hoekstra PT, Casacuberta-Partal M, Coffeng LE, Corstjens PLAM, Greco B, van Lieshout L, Lim MD, Markwalter CF, Odiere MR, Reinhard-Rupp J, Roestenberg M, Stothard R, Tchuem Tchuenté LA, de Vlas SJ, van Dam GJ.
Lancet Infect Dis. 2020 Jul;20(7):e165-e172. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30254-1.
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Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA): A Highly Sensitive Diagnostic Biomarker to Detect Active Schistosoma Infections-Improvement and Use during SCORE.
Corstjens PLAM, de Dood CJ, Knopp S, Clements MN, Ortu G, Umulisa I, Ruberanziza E, Wittmann U, Kariuki T, LoVerde P, Secor WE, Atkins L, Kinung'hi S, Binder S, Campbell CH, Colley DG, van Dam GJ.
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020 Jul;103(1_Suppl):50-57. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0819. PMID: 32400344; PMCID: PMC7351307.
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Context-Specific Procedures for the Diagnosis of Human Schistosomiasis – A Mini Review.
Hoekstra, PT, van Dam GJ, van Lieshout L.
Front. Trop. Dis., 05 August 2021, Volume 2 – 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2021.722438
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