title: Clinical consequences of polymerase chain reaction-based diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections.
abstract: The implementation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostics of intestinal protozoa has led to higher sensitivity and (subtype) specificity, more convenient sampling, and the possibility for high-throughput screening. PCR for routine detection of human intestinal protozoa in fecal samples is used by an increasing number of clinical laboratories. This paper discusses the recent developments in the diagnosis of intestinal protozoa, with an emphasis on PCR-based diagnostics. Although many reviews have described the technical aspects of PCR-based diagnostics, this review focuses on the clinical consequences that result from the shift from microscopic toward PCR-based diagnostics. Despite its undisputed superiority, the use of PCR comes with challenges that clinicians should be aware of.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, CX, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lucas H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rijsman
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Monkelbaan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, CX, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johannes G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kusters
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: ELISA; PCR-based diagnostics; clinical intestinal disorders; diarrhea; intestinal protozoa; microbial pathogenesis; microscopy; point of care; polymerase chain reaction