title: Real-time PCR for the detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in fecal samples.
abstract: A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method targeting the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene was developed for the detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in stool samples. The 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=29) and a range of stool samples (n=85), and achieved high specificity and sensitivity. D. fragilis DNA could be detected in unpreserved fecal samples up to 8 weeks after storage at 4 degrees C. The use of this assay in a diagnostic laboratory offers the possibility of introducing DNA detection as a feasible technique for the routine diagnosis of intestinal D. fragilis infections.
authors.affiliation: Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Parasitology, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. j.j.verweij@lumc.nl
authors.forename: Jaco J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Bregje
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Poell
authors.forename: Dorien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Middelkoop
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 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004029:Dientamoeba / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan