Polymerase chain reaction-based detection of lymphatic filariasis.
PCR-based diagnostic assays are promising tools for the monitoring and evaluation of the Global Programme for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis. Sensitive and specific assays have been described for the detection of Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori infection in blood, sputum, and vectors. These techniques can be most cost-effective when employed for pool screening, which is important in the later stages of control programs when infection rates of humans and vectors are low, and large numbers of samples must be examined.
Fischer
Peter
P
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany. Pfischer@bni.uni-hamburg.de
Boakye
Daniel
D
Hamburger
Joseph
J
D000818:Animals; D017178:Brugia malayi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000191:economics; D013183:Sputum / Q000469:parasitology; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000302:isolation & purification
D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic