Evaluation of real-time PCR assay to detect Schistosoma mansoni infections in a low endemic setting.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schistosomiasis constitutes a major public health problem, and 200 million people are estimated to be infected with schistosomiasis worldwide. In Brazil, schistosomiasis has been reported in 19 states, showing areas of high and medium endemicity and a wide range of areas of low endemicity (ALE). Barra Mansa in Rio de Janeiro state has an estimated prevalence of 1%. ALE represent a new challenge for the helminth control because about 75% of infected individuals are asymptomatic and infections occur with a low parasite load (<100 eggs per gram of feces), causing a decrease in sensitivity of stool parasitological techniques, which are a reference for the laboratory diagnosis of this helminth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a TaqMan quantitati

SUBMITTER: Espirito-Santo MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4210485 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature