title: Novel real-time PCR for the universal detection of Strongyloides species.
abstract: Strongyloidiasis is a neglected disease that is prevalent mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. It is caused by intestinal nematodes of the genus Strongyloides. Due to the rise in worldwide travel, infections are increasingly encountered in non-endemic regions. Diagnosis is hampered by insensitive and laborious detection methods. A universal Strongyloides species real-time PCR was developed with an internal competitive control system. The 95% limit of detection as determined by probit analysis was one larva per PCR equivalent to 100 larvae per 200 mg stool. The assay proved to be 100% specific as assessed using a panel of parasites and bacteria and thus might be useful in the diagnostic setting as well as for Strongyloides research.
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kramme
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hanns
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soblik
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erttmann
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Egbert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tannich
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panning
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brattig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*