Human ascariasis: diagnostics update

Lamberton, P. H.L. and Jourdan, P. M. (2015) Human ascariasis: diagnostics update. Current Tropical Medicine Reports, 2(4), pp. 189-200. (doi: 10.1007/s40475-015-0064-9) (PMID:26550552) (PMCID:PMC4630244)

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Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infect over one billion people worldwide. Ascariasis may mimic a number of conditions, and individual clinical diagnosis often requires a thorough work-up. Kato-Katz thick smears are the standard detection method for Ascaris and, despite low sensitivity, are often used for mapping and monitoring and evaluation of national control programmes. Although increased sampling (number of stools) and diagnostic (number of examinations per stool) efforts can improve sensitivity, Kato-Katz is less sensitive than other microscopy methods such as FLOTAC®. Antibody-based diagnostics may be a sensitive diagnostic tool; however, their usefulness is limited to assessing transmission in areas aiming for elimination. Molecular diagnostics are highly sensitive and specific, but high costs limit their use to individual diagnosis, drug - efficacy studies and identification of Ascaris suum. Increased investments in research on Ascaris and other STHs are urgently required for the development of diagnostic assays to support efforts to reduce human suffering caused by these infections.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lamberton, Professor Poppy
Authors: Lamberton, P. H.L., and Jourdan, P. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Current Tropical Medicine Reports
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:2196-3045
ISSN (Online):2196-3045
Published Online:03 October 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 The Authors
First Published:First published in Current Tropical Medicine Reports
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a creative commons license

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