title: Comparison of real-time PCR and Kato smear microscopy for the detection of hookworm infections in three consecutive faecal samples from schoolchildren in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The classic technique used to detect hookworm infections in population-based surveys is microscopic examination of Kato thick smears of multiple faecal samples per person as variation in soil-transmitted helminth egg output is common.
  
  
  METHODS
  As an alternative to this time-consuming and logistically difficult procedure, a PCR-based method to detect hookworm infections was evaluated. Faecal samples collected from 65 Ghanaian school children during February-June 2006 were examined using both techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one children with a hookworm infection were detected by Kato examination of three faecal samples compared with 30 children detected by PCR of a single faecal sample and 39 detected by PCR of three faecal samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR provides a sensitive alternative to the conventional microscopic detection of hookworm infections.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Suzan P
authors: SP
authors: van Mens
authors: Yvonne
authors: Y
authors: Aryeetey
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Yazdanbakhsh
authors: Lisette
authors: L
authors: van Lieshout
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Boakye
authors: Jaco J
authors: JJ
authors: Verweij
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000592:standards*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult