title: Impact of transition from microscopy to molecular screening for detection of intestinal protozoa in Dutch patients.
abstract: Detection of intestinal protozoa by PCR methods has been described as being sensitive and specific, and as improving the diagnostic yield. Here we present the outcome of the transition from microscopy to molecular screening for detection of a select group of intestinal protozoa in faeces in our laboratory. Introduction of molecular screening for intestinal protozoa resulted in higher sensitivity, reduced hands-on-time, reduced time-to-results, leading to improved diagnostic efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Central Bacteriology and Serology Laboratory, Tergooi, Hilversum, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Svraka-Latifovic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouter
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Naus
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Timmerman
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Dorigo-Zetsma
mesh_terms: D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009426:Netherlands; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Diagnostic efficiency; PCR; microscopy; molecular detection; protozoa; triple faeces test