title: [Diagnosing imported helminthiasis].
abstract: In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of imported helminthiasis in Spain because of two complementary causes: immigration and international travel. Although the prevalence of helminthiasis is high in the immigrant population, the risk of transmission to the Spanish population is low. In this review, we provide clues to aid in the diagnosis of the helminthiasis, highlighting the geographic characteristics, clinical findings and analytical results of the most frequent types. The low sensitivity of the classic parasitological diagnostic test, mainly in tissue helminthiasis, is described. In addition, the advantages and limitations of the common serological methods for detecting related circulating antigens and antibodies are presented. Certain molecular methods used in the diagnosis of imported helminthiasis and the best strategies for screening of this condition are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Inmunología Parasitaria y Molecular, CISET, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, España. javipard2@mixmail.com
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pérez-Arellano
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Galindo
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belhassen
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muro
mesh_terms: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D018509:DNA, Helminth