, , and Intestinal Protozoal Co-Infections in Italian and Immigrant Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Tropheryma whipplei (TW), Helicobacter pylori (HP), and intestinal protozoa (IP) are widespread pathogens with similar routes of transmission and epidemiological risk factors. Epidemiological data on co-infection between TW, HP, and IP are scarce. We aim to more deeply investigate the co-infection rate for these pathogens, evaluating the risk factors and symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test in comparison to RT-PCR targeting different genes: A real-life evaluation among unselected patients in a regional hospital of Italy.

We assessed the performance of the Panbio rapid antigen detection (RAD) test for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and we compared it with the routine reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based molecular test in a population of 4167 unselected patients admitted to IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital. Analysis stratified by cycling threshold (C ) value of SARS-CoV-2 gene targets indicated that antigen (Ag)-positive C values were significantly lower compared to Ag-negative values (p < 0.0001).

Preliminary comparison between an in-house real-time PCR vs microscopy for the diagnosis of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans.

Infections with the filarial nematodes Loa loa and Mansonella perstans are among the most neglected filarial infections. L. loa is endemic in 11 countries of Central and West Africa and loiasis is estimated to affect about 20 million people.

Assessment of real-time PCR for Helicobacter pylori DNA detection in stool with co-infection of intestinal parasites: a comparative study of DNA extraction methods.

Background: Many studies reported high prevalence of H. pylori infection among patients co-infected with intestinal parasites. Molecular approach for the DNA detection of those microbes in stool have been proposed.

A diagnostic study comparing conventional and real-time PCR for Strongyloides stercoralis on urine and on faecal samples.

Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth with a wide distribution in tropical and subtropical areas. The diagnosis of S. stercoralisinfection can be challenging, due to the low sensitivity of microscopic examination of stool samples and coproculture.

Preliminary Comparison of an in-House Real-Time PCR with the Automated BD Max Enteric Parasite Panel for the Detection of Giardia intestinalis.

Giardia intestinalis is a parasite that commonly causes diarrheal disease throughout the world. An accurate and rapid diagnosis is essential to reduce the infection. Classical diagnosis of giardiasis is performed by microscopic examination of stool samples, but in recent years many DNA-based methods have been developed.

Molecular Biology Can Change the Classic Laboratory Approach for Intestinal Protozoan Infections.

For many years microscopy has been considered the mainstay of the diagnosis of parasitic infections. In our laboratory, before the advent of molecular biology, the approach for the identification of parasitic infections in stools was the microscopic exam of three samples. Once we adopted molecular biology, a real-time PCR on one single sample was added to the classical coproparasitological exam of three samples.