title: Multiplex detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in fecal samples using real-time PCR.
abstract: A multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for the simultaneous detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (n = 30) and Encephalitozoon spp. (n = 3) in stool samples. The multiplex PCR also included an internal control to detect inhibition of the amplification by fecal constituents in the sample. The assay was performed on species-specific DNA controls (n = 22) and a range of well-defined stool samples (n = 140), and it achieved 100% specificity and sensitivity. The use of this assay in a diagnostic laboratory offers the possibility of introducing DNA detection as a feasible technique in the routine diagnosis of intestinal microsporidian infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. j.j.verweij@lumc.nl
authors.forename: Jaco J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ten Hove
authors.forename: Eric A T
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Brienen
authors.forename: Lisette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Lieshout
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016819:Encephalitozoon / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016890:Encephalitozoonosis / Q000469:parasitology; D021862:Enterocytozoon / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan