Application of PCR-Based Tools to Explore Strongyloides Infection in People in Parts of Northern Australia.

ABSTRACT: Strongyloidiasis, which is caused by infection with the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, is endemic to areas of northern Australia. Diagnosis in this region remains difficult due to the distances between endemic communities and diagnostic laboratories, leading to lengthy delays in stool processing for microscopy and culture. PCR represents a viable solution to this difficulty, having potential for high sensitivity detection of S. stercoralis, even in older, unpreserved faecal samples. We prospectively collected 695 faecal specimens that were submitted to The Townsville Hospital Microbiology Laboratory from the North Queensland region for routine parasitological examination, and subjected them to a Strongyloides sp. real-time (q)PCR. Results were confirmed with a novel nested conventiona

SUBMITTER: Robertson GJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6082066 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature