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Lau DCW, Power RI, Šlapeta J. Exploring multiplex qPCR as a diagnostic tool for detecting microfilarial DNA in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis: A comparative analysis with the modified Knott's test. Vet Parasitol 2024; 325:110097. [PMID: 38104431 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Current recommendations to diagnose cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs caused by Dirofilaria immitis involves tandem antigen and circulating microfilariae tests. The modified Knott's test is an important tool in heartworm diagnosis, allowing identification of circulating microfilariae. However, the subjective nature of the modified Knott's test affects its accuracy and diagnostic laboratories usually do not provide a quantitative outcome. Quantitative enumeration of microfilariae enables clinicians to track treatment progress and acts as a proxy for detecting emerging macrocyclic lactone resistance. There is a need for better diagnostic tools suitable for routine use to efficiently and accurately quantify the presence of D. immitis microfilaremia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the quantitative modified Knott's test can be substituted by multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting D. immitis and associated Wolbachia endosymbiont DNA in canine blood samples. To do this, genomic DNA samples (n = 161) from Australian dogs, collected as part of a previous 2021 study, were assessed in a TaqMan qPCR targeting DNA of D. immitis, Wolbachia sp. and Canis lupus familiaris. Of the 161 genomic DNA samples, eight were considered positive for D. immitis microfilariae. The qPCR assay demonstrated good efficiency (E = 90 to 110%, R2 > 0.94). Considering the performance and efficient use of bench time, this TaqMan qPCR assay is a suitable alternative to the modified Knott's test for quantitative enumeration of microfilariae (Cohen's kappa coefficient [κ]: κ = 1 using D. immitis qPCR marker, κ = 0.93 using Wolbachia qPCR marker). The qPCR data demonstrated a comparable result to that of the quantitative modified Knott's test in a 2022 survey of D. immitis in Australian dogs (n = 23) before and after macrocyclic lactone (ML) administration. Improving the detection and diagnosis of canine heartworm infections will assist veterinarians in better managing and controlling disease outcomes and will be valuable for tracking the spread of ML resistance in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Ching-Wai Lau
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Rosemonde Isabella Power
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia; The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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Rajković M, Glavinić U, Bogunović D, Vejnović B, Davitkov D, Đelić N, Stanimirović Z. "Slow kill" treatment reduces DNA damage in leukocytes of dogs naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis. Vet Parasitol 2023; 322:110008. [PMID: 37643566 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases are considered to be a cause of oxidative stress which leads to oxidative damage of various molecules including DNA. This can result in mutations, replication errors, and genome instability. Therefore, aim of this study was to measure DNA damage induced by Dirofilaria immitis in the single cells such as dogs' leukocytes using the comet assay. Also, we monitored the effects of antiparasitic treatment on mitigation of sensitivity to DNA damage in leukocytes treated with H2O2 using the in vivo and ex vivo comet assay. The whole blood samples from 34 dogs from Serbia were used, both males and females, from one to 13 years old, both pure and mixed-breeds. A rapid immunochromatographic test (Antigen Rapid Heartworm Ag 2.0 Test Kit, Bionote, Minnesota, USA) was used for the detection of D. immitis antigens. The modified Knott's test and PCR were used in the aim of detecting D. immitis microfilariae in dogs' blood, and evaluating the number of circulating microfilariae during the treatment. The genotoxicity evaluation showed that D. immitis infection resulted in DNA damage in naturally infected dogs, with the highest DNA damage occurring in the group of dogs with severe clinical signs. Treatment with ivermectin and doxycycline decreased DNA damage in leukocytes of dogs in all groups, as the intensity of infection decreased due to applied therapy. Ex vivo comet assay results showed that leukocytes exhibited decreased sensitivity to H2O2-induced DNA damage during treatment. The results of the modified Knott's test and PCR in our study showed that treatment with ivermectin and doxycycline was successful in decreasing the average number of microfilariae during the time and at the end eliminating them from the dogs' blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Rajković
- Department of Parasitology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Uroš Glavinić
- Department of Biology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Danica Bogunović
- Department of Parasitology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Branislav Vejnović
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia.
| | - Darko Davitkov
- Department of Equine, Small Animal, Poultry and Wild Animal Diseases, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Ninoslav Đelić
- Department of Biology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Zoran Stanimirović
- Department of Biology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
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Pękacz M, Basałaj K, Kalinowska A, Klockiewicz M, Stopka D, Bąska P, Długosz E, Karabowicz J, Młocicki D, Wiśniewski M, Zawistowska-Deniziak A. Selection of new diagnostic markers for Dirofilaria repens infections with the use of phage display technology. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2288. [PMID: 35145147 PMCID: PMC8831495 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06116-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic nematode causing vector-borne disease (dirofilariasis), considered an emerging problem in veterinary and human medicine. Although main hosts are carnivores, particularly dogs, D. repens shows high zoonotic potential. The disease spreads uncontrollably, affecting new areas. Since there is no vaccine against dirofilariasis, the only way to limit disease transmission is an early diagnosis. Currently, diagnosis depends on the detection of microfilariae in the host bloodstream using modified Knott's test or multiplex PCR. However, the efficacy of tests relying on microfilariae detection is limited by microfilariae periodic occurrence. Therefore, a new reliable diagnostic test is required. Our study aimed to select new diagnostic markers for dirofilariasis with potential application in diagnostics. We focused on single epitopes to ensure high specificity of diagnosis and avoid cross-reactivity with the other parasite infections common in dogs. Using phage display technology and 12-mer peptides library, we selected epitopes highly reactive with IgG from sera of infected dogs. Additionally, our study presents the possibility of detecting D. repens specific cell-free DNA in dogs with no microfilaria but high IgG and IgM antibody levels against parasite somatic antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Pękacz
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Basałaj
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Kalinowska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Klockiewicz
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Diana Stopka
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Bąska
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Długosz
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Karabowicz
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Daniel Młocicki
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Wiśniewski
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
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Gaillard CM, Pion SD, Hamou H, Sirima C, Bizet C, Lemarcis T, Rodrigues J, Esteban A, Peeters M, Mpoudi Ngole E, Mombo I, Liégeois F, Martin C, Boussinesq M, Locatelli S. Detection of DNA of filariae closely related to Mansonella perstans in faecal samples from wild non-human primates from Cameroon and Gabon. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:313. [PMID: 32546281 PMCID: PMC7298833 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04184-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Onchocercidae is a family of filarial nematodes with several species of medical or veterinary importance. Microfilariae are found in the blood and/or the dermis and are usually diagnosed in humans by microscopy examination of a blood sample or skin biopsy. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate whether filariae DNA can be detected in faecal samples of wild non-human primates (NHPs), whether the detected parasites were closely related to those infecting humans and whether filarial DNA detection in faeces is associated with co-infections with nematodes (Oesophagostumum sp. and Necator sp.) known to cause blood loss while feeding on the host intestinal mucosa. METHODS A total of 315 faecal samples from 6 species of NHPs from Cameroon and Gabon were analysed. PCRs targeted DNA fragments of cox1 and 12S rDNA genes, to detect the presence of filariae, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), to detect the presence of Oesophagostomum sp. and Necator sp. infections. RESULTS Among the 315 samples analysed, 121 produced sequences with > 90% homology with Onchocercidae reference sequences. However, 63% of the 12S rDNA and 78% of the cox1 gene sequences were exploitable for phylogenetic analyses and the amplification of the 12S rDNA gene showed less discriminating power than the amplification of the cox1 fragment. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the cox1 sequences obtained from five chimpanzee DNA faecal samples from Gabon and two from Cameroon cluster together with Mansonella perstans with high bootstrap support. Most of the remaining sequences clustered together within the genus Mansonella, but the species could not be resolved. Among the NHP species investigated, a significant association between filarial DNA detection and Oesophagostomum sp. and Necator sp. infection was observed only in gorillas. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting DNA from Mansonella spp. in faecal samples. Our results raise questions about the diversity and abundance of these parasites in wildlife, their role as sylvatic reservoirs and their potential for zoonotic transmission. Future studies should focus on detecting variants circulating in both human and NHPs, and improve the molecular information to resolve or support taxonomy classification based on morphological descriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hadjira Hamou
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Constant Sirima
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Charlotte Bizet
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas Lemarcis
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jules Rodrigues
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM UMR7245), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Amandine Esteban
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Peeters
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Eitel Mpoudi Ngole
- Projet Prévention du Sida au Cameroun (PRESICA) and Virology Laboratory IMPM/IRD, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Illich Mombo
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales, BP 769, Franceville, Gabon
| | - Florian Liégeois
- Laboratoire Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, Contrôle, UMR 224 IRD/CNRS/UM1, 34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Coralie Martin
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM UMR7245), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Michel Boussinesq
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sabrina Locatelli
- IRD UMI 233-INSERM U1175, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Oh IY, Kim KT, Gwon SY, Sung HJ. Development of TaqMan Quantitative PCR Assays for Duplex Detection of Dirofilaria immitis COI and Dog GAPDH from Infected Dog Blood. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2019.51.1.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- In Young Oh
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Kyung Tae Kim
- ALPHAGENE Co., Ltd., Singu University, Business Incubation Center, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Sun-Yeong Gwon
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea
| | - Ho Joong Sung
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea
- BK21 Plus Program, Department of Senior Healthcare, Graduate School, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
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Potential of cell-free DNA as a screening marker for parasite infections in dog. Genomics 2018; 111:906-912. [PMID: 29860031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic infections are common in stray dogs and accurate knowledge of parasite communities in dogs would provide insight into the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. In this study, we used Illumina sequencing technology to evaluate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a marker for screening of parasitic infections in dogs. Plasma samples from 14 stray dogs captured in Bangladesh were used in the experiments. An average of 2.3 million reads was obtained for each sample. BLASTn analysis identified 150 reads with high similarity with parasites from 19 different genera. In particular, we detected sequences of Babesia spp. in five dogs; consistent with this, a previous study using conventional PCR showed that four of these dogs were positive for B. gibsoni. Several reads with similarity to Leishmania and filarial nematodes were also identified. These findings indicate that cfDNA in blood can be a potential screening marker for identifying parasite diversity in dogs.
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Krstić M, Gabrielli S, Ignjatović M, Savić S, Cancrini G, Ranđelović G, Momčilović S, Stojnev S, Otašević S. An appraisal of canine and human cases reveals an endemic status of dirofilariosis in parts of Serbia. Mol Cell Probes 2016; 31:37-41. [PMID: 27539018 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens are mosquito-borne nematodes that primarily infect canids, and can also cause mild to serious superficial or visceral infection in humans. In the present survey, peripheral blood from 150 asymptomatic dogs from Serbia were examined using the modified Knott's technique. Dirofilaria immitis, identified based on morphological and morphometric characteristics, was prevalent in dogs not receiving preventative treatment (in 44% and 60% of pound and pet dogs, respectively). These results, together with findings of autochthonous cases of subcutaneous D. repens infection in human patients from Southeastern Serbia emphasize the need for further investigations of this veterinary and public health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miljan Krstić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Simona Gabrielli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazza le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Ignjatović
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad, Rumenački put 20, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Gabriella Cancrini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazza le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gordana Ranđelović
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia; Center of Microbiology and Parasitology, Public Health Institute Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 50, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Stefan Momčilović
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Slavica Stojnev
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Suzana Otašević
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia; Center of Microbiology and Parasitology, Public Health Institute Niš, Blvd Zorana Djindjica 50, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
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Vélez-Pérez A, Liang L, Syklawer E, Chavez V, Zhang S, Wanger A. Dirofilariasis Presenting as an Infiltrative Mass in the Right Buccal Space. Int J Surg Pathol 2016; 24:660-2. [DOI: 10.1177/1066896916653212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilariasis is caused by filarial nematodes (roundworms) of the genus Dirofilaria. Dirofilariasis of the oral mucosa is very rare. Herein, we report a case of a 79-year-old man who had a slowly growing infiltrative mass in the right buccal space. Histopathologic examination showed an inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophilia, histiocytes, and small organisms (0.2-0.3 mm). Digital images were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which identified the parasite as a nematode in the genus Dirofilaria. It appeared to be dead and degenerating, but external, fine longitudinal cuticular ridges and the presence of tall muscle cells were diagnostic. Thus, Dirofilaria, despite its rarity, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumor-like lesions in the buccal mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Liang
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erica Syklawer
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA
| | - Violeta Chavez
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA
| | - Songlin Zhang
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA
| | - Audrey Wanger
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX, USA
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Oh IY, Kim KT, Jun JH, Shin JH, Sung HJ. Development of Real-time PCR Assays for Detection ofDirofilaria immitisfrom Infected Dog Blood. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2016.48.2.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- In Young Oh
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Korea
| | - Kyung Tae Kim
- ALPHAGENE Co., Ltd., Singu University, Business Incubation Center, Seongnam 13174, Korea
| | - Jin Hyun Jun
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Korea
- BK21 Plus Program, Department of Senior Healthcare, Graduate School, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Shin
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Korea
- BK21 Plus Program, Department of Senior Healthcare, Graduate School, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Korea
| | - Ho Joong Sung
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam 13135, Korea
- BK21 Plus Program, Department of Senior Healthcare, Graduate School, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Korea
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Detection and quantification of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi DNA in blood samples and mosquitoes using duplex droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2967-72. [PMID: 27085707 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5051-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne disease, is still a major public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Effective diagnostic tools are required for identification of infected individuals, for epidemiological assessment, and for monitoring of control programs. A duplex droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) was conducted to differentiate and quantify Wuchereria bancrofti DNA by targeting the long DNA repeat (LDR) element and Brugia malayi DNA by targeting the HhaI element in blood samples and mosquito vectors. The analytical sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. Our results indicated that the duplex ddPCR assay could differentiate and quantify W. bancrofti and B. malayi DNA from blood samples and mosquitoes. DNA from a single larva in 50 μl of a blood sample, or in one mosquito vector, could be detected. The analytical sensitivity and specificity for W. bancrofti are both 100 %. Corresponding values for B. malayi are 100 and 98.3 %, respectively. Therefore, duplex ddPCR is a potential tool for simultaneous diagnosis and monitoring of bancroftian and brugian filariasis in endemic areas.
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