A novel duplex ddPCR assay for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica: proof of concept in an experimental mouse model.
Parasitology
; 144(8): 1005-1015, 2017 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28274280
ABSTRACT
The current World Health Organization strategic plan targets the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2025 and accurate diagnostics will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. DNA-based detection methods provide a viable alternative to some of the commonly used tests, notably microscopy and serology, for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The detection of parasite cell-free DNA in different clinical samples is a recent valuable advance, which provides significant benefits for accurate disease diagnosis. Here we validated a novel duplex droplet digital PCR assay for the diagnosis of Chinese (SjC) and Philippine (SjP) strains of Schistosoma japonicum infection in a mouse model. The assay proved applicable for both SjC and SjP infections and capable of detecting infection at a very early intra-mammalian stage in conveniently obtainable samples (urine and saliva) as well as in serum and feces. The target DNA copy numbers obtained in the assay showed a positive correlation with the infection burden assessed by direct traditional parasitology. The potential to detect parasite DNA in urine and saliva has important practical implications for large-scale epidemiological screening programmes in the future, particularly in terms of logistical convenience, and the assay has the potential to be a valuable additional tool for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Schistosoma japonicum
/
Esquistossomose Japônica
/
Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase
/
DNA de Helmintos
/
Variações do Número de Cópias de DNA
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
País como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article