Development and evaluation of a genus-specific, probe-based, internal-process-controlled real-time PCR assay for sensitive and specific detection of Blastocystis spp.

ABSTRACT: Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite of unsettled clinical significance, which is not easily detected by standard parasitological methods. The genus comprises at least 13 subtypes (STs) (which likely represent separate species), 9 of which have been found in humans. Recent data indicate that at least one of the subtypes is associated with intestinal disease. A quantitative TaqMan 5' nuclease real-time PCR (TaqMan PCR) including an internal process control (IPC) was developed for the detection of Blastocystis and shown to be applicable to genomic DNAs extracted directly from feces. The assay enabled successful amplification of DNAs from all relevant subtypes within the genus (ST1 to ST9). For assay evaluation, 153 samples previously tested by xenic in vitro culture (XIVC) were scree

SUBMITTER: Stensvold CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3372105 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature