title: Multiplex real-time PCR monitoring of intestinal helminths in humans reveals widespread polyparasitism in Northern Samar, the Philippines.
abstract: The global socioeconomic importance of helminth parasitic disease is underpinned by the considerable clinical impact on millions of people. While helminth polyparasitism is considered common in the Philippines, little has been done to survey its extent in endemic communities. High morphological similarity of eggs between related species complicates conventional microscopic diagnostic methods which are known to lack sensitivity, particularly in low intensity infections. Multiplex quantitative PCR diagnostic methods can provide rapid, simultaneous identification of multiple helminth species from a single stool sample. We describe a multiplex assay for the differentiation of Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma, Taenia saginata and Taenia solium, building on our previously published findings for Schistosoma japonicum. Of 545 human faecal samples examined, 46.6% were positive for at least three different parasite species. High prevalences of S. japonicum (90.64%), A. lumbricoides (58.17%), T. saginata (42.57%) and A. duodenale (48.07%) were recorded. Neither T. solium nor N. americanus were found to be present. The utility of molecular diagnostic methods for monitoring helminth parasite prevalence provides new information on the extent of polyparasitism in the Philippines municipality of Palapag. These methods and findings have potential global implications for the monitoring of neglected tropical diseases and control measures.
authors: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; Discipline of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: Catherine.Gordon@qimrberghofer.edu.au.
authors: Catherine A
authors: CA
authors: Gordon
authors: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
authors: Donald P
authors: DP
authors: McManus
authors: Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines.
authors: Luz P
authors: LP
authors: Acosta
authors: Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, Manila, Philippines.
authors: Remigio M
authors: RM
authors: Olveda
authors: Discipline of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors: Gail M
authors: GM
authors: Williams
authors: Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Allen G
authors: AG
authors: Ross
authors: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; Discipline of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors: Darren J
authors: DJ
authors: Gray
authors: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
authors: Geoffrey N
authors: GN
authors: Gobert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Intestinal helminths; Multiplex qPCR; Polyparasitism; STH infection; Schistosomiasis; Taeniasis; The Philippines