title: How to make DNA count: DNA-based diagnostic tools in veterinary parasitology.
abstract: Traditional methods for the diagnosis of parasitic helminth infections of livestock have a number of limitations, such as the inability to distinguish mixed-species infections, a heavy reliance on technical experience and also sub-sampling errors. Some of these limitations may be overcome through the development of rapid and accurate DNA-based tests. For example, DNA-based tests can specifically detect individual species in a mixed infection at either the larval or egg stages, in the absence of morphological differences among species. Even so, some diagnostic problems remain the same, irrespective of whether a DNA-based or traditional method is used. For example, sub-sampling errors from an aggregated distribution are likely to persist. It is proposed, however, that DNA-based diagnostic technologies offer an opportunity to expand diagnostic capabilities, and are discussed in the current review. The future introduction of DNA-based diagnostic technologies into routine diagnostic settings will also be discussed.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Livestock Industries, F.D. McMaster Laboratory, New England Highway, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia. Peter.Hunt@csiro.au
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D060085:Coinfection / Q000662:veterinary; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D006041:Goats; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D006376:Helminths / Q000235:genetics*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth