Diagnosing Polyparasitism in a High-Prevalence Setting in Beira, Mozambique: Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Fecal Samples by Microscopy and Real-Time PCR.

Background: Many different intestinal parasite species can co-occur in the same population. However, classic diagnostic tools can only frame a particular group of intestinal parasite species. Hence, one or two tests do not suffice to provide a complete picture of infecting parasite species in a given population.

Spatial and temporal distribution of soil-transmitted helminth infection in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and geostatistical meta-analysis.

Background: Interest is growing in predictive risk mapping for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly to scale up preventive chemotherapy, surveillance, and elimination efforts. Soil-transmitted helminths (hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura) are the most widespread NTDs, but broad geographical analyses are scarce. We aimed to predict the spatial and temporal distribution of soil-transmitted helminth infections, including the number of infected people and treatment needs, across sub-Saharan Africa.

Molecular diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis in faecal samples using real-time PCR.

A real-time PCR method targeting the small subunit of the rRNA gene was developed for the detection of Strongyloides stercoralis DNA in faecal samples, including an internal control to detect inhibition of the amplification process. The assay was performed on a range of well-defined control samples (n=145), known positive faecal samples (n=38) and faecal samples from a region in northern Ghana where S. stercoralis infections are highly endemic (n=212), and achieved 100% specificity and high sensitivity.

Simultaneous detection and quantification of Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Oesophagostomum bifurcum in fecal samples using multiplex real-time PCR.

A multiplex real-time PCR was developed and evaluated for the simultaneous detection of Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Oesophagostomum bifurcum in fecal samples. Using well-defined control samples (N = 150), known positive fecal samples (N = 50), and fecal samples from an area in Ghana where human infections with all 3 nematode species are endemic (N = 339), the method proved to be highly specific and sensitive. Cycle threshold (Ct) values, reflecting parasite-specific DNA load, showed significant correlation with the intensity of infection as measured by microscopy using Kato-Katz fecal smears or by species specific third-stage larval count after coproculture.

Intestinal microsporidiosis in diarrheal patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Intestinal microsporidiosis is most commonly associated with persistent diarrhea in advanced AIDS cases. To determine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of this infection in HIV/AIDS patients, a single fresh stool sample and blood were collected from 243 (214 HIV-positive and 29 HIV-negative) diarrheal patients. The presence of intestinal microsporidiosis in the stool was determined by Uvitex-2B staining and a PCR-based detection method.

Impact of repeated mass treatment on human Oesophagostomum and hookworm infections in northern Ghana.

Oesophagostomum bifurcum is a common parasite of humans causing disease in parts of northern Ghana and northern Togo. The impact of repeated mass treatment with albendazole on infection with O. bifurcum and hookworm is analysed and the results compared with those in a control area where no treatment was given.

Diagnostic methods for differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in carriers: performance and clinical implications in a non-endemic setting.

Unpreserved faecal samples, suspected to contain Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar cysts or trophozoites on the basis of microscopic examination, and serum samples from 416 patients were collected in a prospective study to determine whether stool antigen assays and detection of antibodies in serum are reliable methods to distinguish between carriers of E. histolytica and E. dispar in comparison to the reference test: real-time PCR.

AFLP fingerprinting for the analysis of genetic diversity within Necator americanus.

In the present study, we utilised the method of AFLP to screen for genetic variation within and among individuals of the blood-feeding human hookworm Necator americanus (Nematoda) from Africa, Asia and South America. A total of 45 adult worms (i.e.

Detection of intestinal microsporidiosis in diarrhoeal patients infected with the human immunideficiency virus (HIV-1) using PCR and Uvitex-2B stain.

A total of 105 single fresh stool samples were collected from diarrhoeal patients with (80 HIV-positive and 25 HIV-negative) from the Army and the Police hospitals, Addis Ababa. The stool samples were processed by water-ether sedimentation method; they were stained with Uvitex-2B technique for microscopic detection of intestinal microsporidium. A portion of all samples were preserved in 200microl PBS containing 2% PVPP ((Polyvinylpolypyrolidone) for confirmation with PCR.

Polymerase chain reaction-based differential diagnosis of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus infections in humans in northern Ghana.

We evaluated a two-step semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach for the specific detection of Ancylostoma duodenale DNA in human faeces. The test was used to determine to what extent this species of hookworm is present in the regions of Bolgatanga and Garu of northern Ghana. Initially, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR were tested using a range of well-defined control samples.

Genetic substructuring within Oesophagostomum bifurcum (Nematoda) from human and non-human primates from Ghana based on random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to study genetic variation within Oesophagostomum bifurcum in Ghana. Four different decamer primers were used for the amplification of DNA from individual O. bifurcum adults (n = 41) from humans and non-human primates (including the Mona monkey, Patas monkey and Olive baboon) from different geographic regions.

Short communication: Misleading microscopy in amoebiasis.

High prevalences of intestinal amoebiasis are commonly reported by microscopy in Ethiopia. In order to confirm the actual occurrence of Entamoeba histolytica we collected 108 stool specimens from different hospitals & health centers from patients in whom haematophagous trophozoites were believed to be found. We detected only a single E.

Simultaneous detection of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum in fecal samples by using multiplex real-time PCR.

Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium are three of the most important diarrhea-causing parasitic protozoa. For many years, microscopic examination of stool samples has been considered to be the "gold standard" for diagnosis of E. histolytica, G.

Short communication: Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in northern Ghana.

Since the redescription of the potentially invasive Entamoeba histolytica, separating it from the morphologically identical non-invasive Entamoeba dispar, there is a need for the reassessment of epidemiological data on amoebiasis. In this context we conducted a descriptive survey on the presence of E. histolytica and E.

Detection and identification of entamoeba species in stool samples by a reverse line hybridization assay.

Classically, detection of Entamoeba histolytica is performed by microscopic examination for characteristic cysts and/or trophozoites in fecal preparations. Differentiation of E. histolytica cysts and those of nonpathogenic amoebic species is made on the basis of the appearance and the size of the cysts.

Real-time PCR for the detection of Giardia lamblia.

Microscopy is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis of Giardia lamblia infection. However, this method is time-consuming and not very sensitive. We developed a real-time PCR assay based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of G.

Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in travellers returning from the tropics and subtropics using microscopy and real-time PCR.

We examined 100 stool specimens of returning travellers with diarrhoea for the presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis using fluorescence microscopy and real-time PCR. C. cayetanensis was found in four cases with microscopy and PCR.

Entamoeba histolytica infections in captive primates.

A group based survey on the presence of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar using real-time PCR among 20 species of captive non-human primates was performed after diagnosis of E. histolytica dysentery in a spider monkey ( Ateles belzebuth hybridus). E.