Molecular techniques for the study and diagnosis of parasite infection

Tavares RG (1, 2), Staggemeier R (3), Borges ALP (3), Rodrigues MT (3), Castelan LA (3), Vasconcelos J (3), Anschau ME (3), Spalding SM (4)

(1) Institute of Health Sciences, Biomedicine, Feevale University, Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil; (2) Department of Diagnostic Methods, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil; (3) Graduate Program in Clinical Microbiology, Feevale University, Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil; (4) Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Abstract: In parasitology, routine laboratory diagnosis involves conventional methods, such as optical microscopy, used for the morphological identification of parasites. Currently, molecular biology techniques are increasingly used to diagnose parasite structures in order to enhance the identification and characterization of parasites. The objective of the present study was to review the main current and new diagnostic techniques for confirmation of parasite infections, namely: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), Luminex xMAP, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), in addition to microsatellites. Molecular assays have comprehensively assisted in the diagnosis, treatment and epidemiological studies of parasitic diseases that affect people worldwide, helping to control parasitic disease mortality.

Key words: parasite infection, diagnosis, molecular techniques, molecular epidemiology.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: November 24, 2011.

Accepted: April 4, 2011.

Abstract published online: April 6, 2011.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Rejane Giacomelli Tavares, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, 93352-000, Brasil. Phone: +55 51 3586 9019. Fax: +55 51 3589 9000. Email: tavares.rejane@gmail.com.