title: Detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in animal faeces using species specific real time PCR assay.
abstract: Dientamoeba fragilis is a potentially pathogenic, enteric, protozoan parasite with a worldwide distribution. While clinical case reports and prevalence studies appear regularly in the scientific literature, little attention has been paid to this parasite's biology, life cycle, host range, and possible transmission routes. Overall, these aspects of Dientamoeba biology remain poorly understood at best. In this study, a total of 420 animal samples, collected from Australia, were surveyed for the presence of Dientamoeba fragilis using PCR. Several PCR assays were evaluated for sensitivity and specificity. Two previously published PCR methods demonstrated cross reactivity with other trichomonads commonly found in animal samples. Only one assay exhibited excellent specificity. Using this assay D. fragilis was detected from one dog and one cat sample. This is the first report of D. fragilis from these animals and highlights the role companion animals may play in D. fragilis transmission. This study demonstrated that some published D. fragilis molecular assays cross react with other closely related trichomonads and consequently are not suitable for animal prevalence studies.
authors: Department of Microbiology, SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, N.S.W, Australia; i3 Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, N.S.W, Australia; School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Chan
authors: i3 Institute, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, N.S.W, Australia; School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Barratt
authors: Department of Microbiology, SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: Tamalee
authors: T
authors: Roberts
authors: Department of Microbiology, SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: Owen
authors: O
authors: Phillips
authors: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Šlapeta
authors: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia.
authors: Una
authors: U
authors: Ryan
authors: Department of Microbiology, SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Marriott
authors: Department of Microbiology, SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Harkness
authors: School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, N.S.W, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ellis
authors: Department of Microbiology, SydPath, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, N.S.W, Australia; School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, N.S.W, Australia. Electronic address: Damien.Stark@svha.org.au.
authors: Damien
authors: D
authors: Stark
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004029:Dientamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan
keywords: Animal reservoirs; Dientamoeba fragilis; real-time PCR