About
Dr Cielo Pasay is a Research Officer in the ADF MIDI Laboratory. She has a PhD in Tropical Health from the University of Queensland. She has extensive experience in infectious disease research such as malaria, scabies, and arboviruses.
Research Skills
Dr Pasay specialises in molecular biology, molecular epidemiology, diagnostics, and drug resistance.
Area of Interest
Malaria Research
Dr Pasay’s current malaria research at ADF MIDI focuses on the global surveillance of HRP gene deletions of malaria parasites, a protein that is detected by Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs).
The goal is to elucidate molecular mechanism of HRP 2/3 deletion of malaria parasites evading RDT detection and to identify malaria endemic regions in the world, (using state-of-the-art molecular biology assays such multiplex qPCRs and multiplex digital PCRs), where HRP-based RDTs must be changed to prevent misdiagnosis hence, prevent serious illness or death.
Arbovirus Research
At ADF MIDI, Dr Pasay is currently working on arbovirus surveillance projects in countries within the Pacific Command Region.
She performs multiplex assays to detect mosquito-borne viral pathogens by qPCR (Zika virus, dengue fever, Chikungunya) and viral antibodies against viruses of interest (dengue, Japanese encephalitis virus, RRV, and BFV) by Luminex bead-based assays.
She performs the assays on blood samples collected from defence staff from Pacific countries to determine presence of arbovirus transmission where ADF/US DoD personnel can be deployed.
The goal is to identify hot spots in the PACOM region where a threat of arboviruses outbreak may occur. Project results also aim to guide Forced Health Protection (FHP) Managers regarding preventative approaches against arboviruses to ensure the health and safety of ADF and US DoD staff.
Scabies Research
Her current scabies research focuses on improving the diagnosis of scabies. She has developed a highly sensitive and specific probe based qRT-PCR assay with a new target sourced from recently published scabies genomes generated by next generation sequencing technology.
Her new qPCR test performs well with samples collected by a non-invasive sample collection tool (FLOQ swab) to replace the scalpel blade. More recently, she has optimised her assay to a digital PCR format.
A highly sensitive and specific PCR assay will greatly improve scabies diagnosis leading to better treatment and disease control, improved epidemiologic studies, and facilitates clinical trials of new acaricides.
This new qPCR and digital PCR assay along with swab collection of samples from skin lesions is currently in use in scabies prevalence surveys in Auckland, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Funding
Health Research Council (New Zealand) Pacific Pathway Grant
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Scabies Prevalence Survey in Auckland, New Zealand
Scabies and Rheumatic Fever in NZ and the Pacific
Publications
Gatton ML, Smith D, Pasay C, Anderson K, Mihreteab S, Valdivia HO, Sanchez JF, Beshir KB, Cunningham J, Cheng Q. Comparison of prevalence estimates of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions in Plasmodium falciparum determined by conventional PCR and multiplex qPCR and implications for surveillance and monitoring. Int J Infect Dis. 2024 Jul;144:107061. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107061. Epub 2024 Apr 16. PMID: 38631508.
Agaba BB, Smith D, Travis J, Pasay C, Nabatanzi M, Arinaitwe E, Ssewanyana I, Nabadda S, Cunningham J, Kamya MR, Cheng Q. Limited threat of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletion to the utility of HRP2-based malaria RDTs in Northern Uganda. Malar J. 2024 Jan 2;23(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s12936-023-04830-w. PMID: 38167003; PMCID: PMC10759665.
Thornley S, Sundborn G, Engelman D, Roskvist R, Pasay C, Marshall R, Long W, Dugu N, Hopoi N, Moritsuka S, McCarthy J, Morris AJ. Children's scabies survey indicates high prevalence and misdiagnosis in Auckland educational institutions. J Paediatr Child Health. 2023 Dec;59(12):1296-1303. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16512. Epub 2023 Nov 2. PMID: 37920140