Schistosoma japonicum: a PCR assay for the early detection and evaluation of treatment in a rabbit model.
A specific PCR assay for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum DNA in rabbit fecal and serum samples was developed by amplifying a 230-bp fragment from the sequence information of the clone G55A of the highly repetitive retrotransposon SjR2. The minimum amount of DNA detectable using the PCR assay was 0.8pg, and the expected PCR product was amplified when DNA equivalent of 1.1 egg from feces was used as template. In the meantime, serum anti-worm IgG was examined by ELISA. ELISA gave positive results at 4-6 weeks post-infection depending on the cercarial doses. The parasite eggs were detected in feces at 7 weeks post-infection. In contrast, S. japonicum DNA was detected in sera at first week post-infection, and it became negative at 10 weeks post-treatment, whereas the anti-worm IgG was still at high levels at 23 weeks post-treatment. These data demonstrated that the PCR assay established provides a potential tool for the early diagnosis and therapy evaluation for S. japonicum infection in humans.
Xia
Chao-Ming
CM
Department of Parasitology, Medical College of Soochow University, Jiangsu Province, PR China. XCM624@hotmail.com
Rong
Rong
R
Lu
Zheng-Xian
ZX
Shi
Chang-Jun
CJ
Xu
Jing
J
Zhang
Hui-Qin
HQ
Gong
Wei
W
Luo
Wei
W
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000871:Anthelmintics; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D011223:Praziquantel