A Pentaplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Detection of Four Species of Soil-Transmitted Helminths

Author(s):
Basuni, M.; Muhi, J.; Othman, N.; Verweij, J.J.; Ahmad, M.; Miswan, N.; Rahumatullah, A.; Aziz, F.A.; Zainudin, N.S.; Noordin, R.
Published
2011
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminth infections remain a major public health burden in low- and middle-income countries.The traditional diagnosis by microscopic examination of fecal samples is insensitive and time-consuming. In this study, a pentaplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated for the simultaneous detection of Ancylostoma, Necator americanus, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Strongyloides stercoralis. The results were compared with those obtained by conventional parasitological diagnostic methods. Real-time PCR was positive in 48 of 77 samples (62.3%) and microscopic examination was positive in six samples (7.8%) only (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the real-time PCR assay described in this study provides a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of these four helminth species in epidemiological studies and monitoring of treatment programs.

human hookworm infection necator-americanus fecal samples ancylostoma-duodenale oesophagostomum-bifurcum entamoeba-histolytica stool samples thick smear pcr diagnosis
Date issued
2011-02-28
Language
English
Is part of
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (2011), Vol. 84, no. 2, p. 338-343
hdl
1887/117829
doi
10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0499