Researcher
dr. Pytsje Hoekstra
Research
I am a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in the evaluation and application of sensitive diagnostic methods for schistosomiasis detection across diverse epidemiological settings. My research focuses on the detection of circulating schistosome antigens using both field-applicable point-of-care assays (POC-CCA) and highly sensitive laboratory-based upconverting reporter particle lateral flow (UCP-LF CAA) technology. I have been involved in and contributed to several multi-country research projects and clinical trials, including EDCTP- and NIH-funded studies, and play a key role in implementing the laboratory-based UCP-LF CAA assay in schistosomiasis-endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Our research generates evidence on the critical importance of accurate diagnostics for assessing schistosomiasis infection prevalence and treatment efficacy in a variety of control programs and endemic and non-endemic settings.
Curriculum Vitae
My academic journey commenced in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. In 2012, I obtained my Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences specializing in international Public Health from the Free University in Amsterdam, where I conducted a research internship at the Department of Parasitology of the LUMC focusing on the evaluation of a real-time PCR assay for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, which was later successfully implemented in a routine diagnostic lab in South Africa.
After my studies, I worked as a Clinical Research Associate at the HIV Monitoring Foundation from 2012 to 2016. However, because of my strong passion for research, in particular tropical disease research, I returned to the Department of Parasitology (LUMC) in 2016. In 2023, I successfully obtained my PhD degree on ‘Diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of schistosomiasis in endemic and non-endemic settings by quantification of circulating anodic antigen’.
Since 2023, I am chair of the Diagnostics working group of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, a multi-stakeholder platform for individuals working to improve schistosomiasis diagnostics.
Links
Global Schistosomiasis Alliance
Publications
-
Detecting two Schistosoma circulating antigens - CCA and CAA - in urine and serum to improve diagnosis of human schistosomiasis.
Hoekstra PT, de Dood CJ, Abdoel T, Hilt S, van Diepen A, Polman K, Kremsner P, van Lieshout L, Kreidenweiss A, Adegnika AA, Fusco D, Rasomoelina T, Rakoto Andrianarivelo M, Rakotozandrindrainy R, Rakotoarivelo RA, Sicuri E, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM.
Front Parasitol. 2024 Oct 4;3:1460331. doi: 10.3389/fpara.2024.
-
Limited efficacy of repeated praziquantel treatment in Schistosoma mansoni infections as revealed by highly accurate diagnostics, PCR and UCP-LF CAA (RePST trial).
Hoekstra PT, Casacuberta-Partal M, van Lieshout L, Corstjens PLAM, Tsonaka R, Assaré RK, Silué KD, N'Goran EK, N'Gbesso YK, Brienen EAT, Roestenberg M, Knopp S, Utzinger J, Coulibaly JT, van Dam GJ.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022 Dec 22;16(12):e0011008. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011008.
-
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.
