Abstract
DNA-based methods have been available for many years in most clinical microbiology laboratories. However, until recently, these tools were not routinely exploited for the diagnosis of parasitic infections. Laboratories were reluctant to implement PCR, not knowing how to incorporate such an approach in the algorithm of tools available for the most accurate diagnosis of a large variety of parasites. This was especially noticeable in the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections, where the diversity of parasites that one can expect in most settings, is much smaller than the parasitological textbooks suggest. Therefore, the classical algorithm, which is based on population, patient groups, use of immuno-suppressive drugs, travel history, etc., is also applicable to the decision on whether or not to perform additional techniques when a multiplex PCR panel is used as a first line diagnostic.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References and Recommended Literature
Qvarnström Y, et al. Comparison of real-time PCR protocols for differential laboratory diagnosis of amebiasis. J Clin Microbiol 2005;43:5491–97.
Stensvold CR, et al. The impact of genetic diversity in protozoa on molecular diagnostics. Trends Parasitol 2011;27:53–58.
ten Hove RJ. Molecular detection of intestinal parasites for clinical diagnosis and epidemiology. https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/1887/14031/18/front.pdf (2009).
Verweij JJ. Application of PCR-based methods for diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections in the clinical laboratory. Parasitology 2014;141:1863–72.
Verweij JJ, Stensvold CR. Molecular testing for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological investigations of intestinal parasitic infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2014;27:371–418.
Verweij JJ, et al. Simultaneous detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum in fecal samples by using multiplex real-time PCR. J Clin Microbiol 2004;42:1220–23.
Verweij JJ, et al. Real-time PCR for the detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in fecal samples. Mol Cell Probes 2007;21:400–404.
Verweij JJ, et al. Molecular diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis in faecal samples using real-time PCR. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2009;103:342–46.
Wiria AE, et al. Does treatment of intestinal helminth infections influence malaria? Background and methodology of a longitudinal study of clinical, parasitological and immunological parameters in Nangapanda, Flores, Indonesia (ImmunoSPIN Study). BMC Infect Dis 2010;10:77.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Verweij, J.J. (2017). Molecular Diagnostics of Parasitic Infections. In: van Pelt-Verkuil, E., van Leeuwen, W., te Witt, R. (eds) Molecular Diagnostics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4511-0_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4511-0_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-4510-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-4511-0
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)