Identification of two potential aetiological agents of chronic diarrhoea in an immunocompromised patient in Cuba using conventional and molecular diagnostic techniques.

The aetiology of diarrhoea in a patient in Cuba with HIV was investigated. Although molecular diagnostics are still not used in many under-resourced settings, here traditional methods were supported by use of PCR. This approach enabled detection of a dual infection (Cystoisospora belli and Enterocytozoon bieneusi), the latter of which was not identified by microscopy with Didier's trichromic staining.

A retrospective study of spp. in Cuban patients: what does molecular analysis tell us?

Taeniosis is a neglected disease, particularly in developing countries, and is caused by infection with the adult tapeworm of either , and . Of these, is of primary concern due to the potential for cysticercosis should eggs be ingested. In Cuba, all cases of taeniosis are assumed to be caused by , although some cases of cysticercosis have been documented.

Diagnosis of intestinal protozoan infections in patients in Cuba by microscopy and molecular methods: advantages and disadvantages.

Microscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of intestinal parasitic diseases in many countries, including Cuba, although molecular approaches often have higher sensitivity as well as other advantages. Fecal samples from 133 patients were analyzed by light microscopy and also real-time multiplex qPCR targeting Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Entamoeba histolytica, and, separately, Dientamoeba fragilis.

Sporadic cyclosporiasis in symptomatic Cuban patients: Confirmation of positive results from conventional diagnostic methods by molecular assay.

In Cuba, there are few studies on cyclosporiasis. Here, we report results from 1247 stool samples from symptomatic patients that were examined by microscopy methods and positive cases confirmed by nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing. Seven positive samples, all diagnosed during May-June, were confirmed by the molecular method, indicating an occurrence in this patient cohort of 0.

Concordance of Giardia duodenalis assemblages determined by different PCR methodologies in three observational studies in Cuba.

Giardia duodenalis is one of the most important intestinal parasites globally, especially in children, and in Cuba is the leading cause of chronic paediatric diarrhoea in this population. G. duodenalis is composed of eight genetic groups (or assemblages), two of which (A and B) are apparently zoonotic, occurring in both humans and other animals.

Molecular analysis of isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic children from La Habana, Cuba.

Giardiasis is considered the most common intestinal parasitic disease in humans worldwide. In Cuba, this infection has particularly a strong clinical impact on the child population. is a highly diverse protozoan, which comprises a complex of eight morphologically identical genetic assemblages, further divided into sub-assemblages.

A dual PCR-based sequencing approach for the identification and discrimination of Echinococcus and Taenia taxa.

Reliable and rapid molecular tools for the genetic identification and differentiation of Echinococcus species and/or genotypes are crucial for studying spatial and temporal transmission dynamics. Here, we describe a novel dual PCR targeting regions in the small (rrnS) and large (rrnL) subunits of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, which enables (i) the specific identification of species and genotypes of Echinococcus (rrnS + L-PCR) and/or (ii) the identification of a range of taeniid cestodes, including different species of Echinococcus, Taenia and some others (17 species of diphyllidean helminths). This dual PCR approach was highly sensitive, with an analytical detection limit of 1 pg for genomic DNA of Echinococcus.

Molecular Characterization and Risk Factors of Giardia duodenalis among School Children from La Habana, Cuba.

Giardia duodenalis is considered the most common protozoan infecting humans worldwide. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis isolates has revealed the existence of eight groups (assemblages A to H) which differ in their host distribution.