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Fernandez-Baca MV, Castellanos-Gonzalez A, Ore RA, Alccacontor-Munoz JL, Hoban C, Castro CA, Tanabe MB, Morales ML, Ortiz P, White AC, Cabada MM. A PCR Test Using the Mini-PCR Platform and Simplified Product Detection Methods Is Highly Sensitive and Specific to Detect Fasciola hepatica DNA Mixed in Human Stool, Snail Tissue, and Water DNA Specimens. Pathogens 2024; 13:440. [PMID: 38921738 PMCID: PMC11206539 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica has a complex lifecycle with multiple intermediate and definitive hosts and influenced by environmental factors. The disease causes significant morbidity in children and its prevalent worldwide. There is lack of data about distribution and burden of the disease in endemic regions, owing to poor efficacy of the different diagnostic methods used. A novel PCR-based test was developed by using a portable mini-PCR® platform to detect Fasciola sp. DNA and interpret the results via a fluorescence viewer and smartphone image analyzer application. Human stool, snail tissue, and water samples were used to extract DNA. Primers targeting the ITS-1 of the 18S rDNA gene of Fasciola sp. were used. The limit of detection of the mini-PCR test was 1 fg/μL for DNA samples diluted in water, 10 fg/μL for Fasciola/snail DNA scramble, and 100 fg/μL for Fasciola/stool DNA scramble. The product detection by agarose gel, direct visualization, and image analyses showed the same sensitivity. The Fh mini-PCR had a sensitivity and specificity equivalent to real-time PCR using the same specimens. Testing was also done on infected human stool and snail tissue successfully. These experiments demonstrated that Fh mini-PCR is as sensitive and specific as real time PCR but without the use of expensive equipment and laboratory facilities. Further testing of multiple specimens with natural infection will provide evidence for feasibility of deployment to resource constrained laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha V. Fernandez-Baca
- Sede Cusco—Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru (R.A.O.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Alejandro Castellanos-Gonzalez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.C.-G.); (M.B.T.)
| | - Rodrigo A. Ore
- Sede Cusco—Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru (R.A.O.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Jose L. Alccacontor-Munoz
- Sede Cusco—Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru (R.A.O.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Cristian Hoban
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, Cajamarca 06003, Peru; (C.H.); (P.O.)
| | - Carol A. Castro
- Sede Cusco—Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru (R.A.O.); (M.L.M.)
| | - Melinda B. Tanabe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.C.-G.); (M.B.T.)
| | - Maria L. Morales
- Sede Cusco—Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru (R.A.O.); (M.L.M.)
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia-University of Texas Medical Branch Collaborative Research Center, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru
| | - Pedro Ortiz
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, Cajamarca 06003, Peru; (C.H.); (P.O.)
| | - A. Clinton White
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.C.-G.); (M.B.T.)
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia-University of Texas Medical Branch Collaborative Research Center, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru
| | - Miguel M. Cabada
- Sede Cusco—Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru (R.A.O.); (M.L.M.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (A.C.-G.); (M.B.T.)
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia-University of Texas Medical Branch Collaborative Research Center, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco 08002, Peru
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Aftab A, Raina OK, Maxton A, Masih SA. Advances in diagnostic approaches to Fasciola infection in animals and humans: An overviews. J Helminthol 2024; 98:e12. [PMID: 38269544 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000950] [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] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, is an impediment to the livestock industry’s expansion and has a massively negative socio-economic impact due to its widespread prevalence in livestock. It is a waterborne zoonosis affecting human populations in the countries where rural economies are associated with livestock rearing. Conventional diagnosis of Fasciola infection is done by detecting parasite eggs in the faeces of infected animals or by immunological methods. Accurate and quick immunodiagnosis of Fasciola infection in animals and humans is based on the detection of antibodies and specific antigens expressed in the prepatent stage of the parasite. Both molecular and serodiagnostic tests developed thus far have enhanced the reliability of Fasciola diagnosis in both man and animals but are not widely available in resource-poor nations. A pen-side diagnostic test based on a lateral flow assay or a DNA test like loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) would be simple, fast, and cost-effective, enabling clinicians to treat animals in a targeted manner and avoid the development of drug resistance to the limited flukicides. This review focuses on the recent advances made in the diagnosis of this parasite infection in animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aftab
- Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - O K Raina
- Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - A Maxton
- Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S A Masih
- Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Shahrajabian MH, Sun W. The Significance and Importance of dPCR, qPCR, and SYBR Green PCR Kit in the Detection of Numerous Diseases. Curr Pharm Des 2024; 30:169-179. [PMID: 38243947 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128276560231218090436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Digital PCR (dPCR) is the latest technique that has become commercially accessible for various types of research. This method uses Taq polymerase in a standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a target DNA fragment from a complex sample, like quantitative PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (dd- PCR). ddPCR may facilitate microRNA (miRNA) measurement, particularly in liquid biopsy, because it has been proven to be more effective and sensitive, and in this method, ddPCR can provide an unprecedented chance for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation research because of its capability to increase sensitivity and precision over conventional PCR-based methods. qPCR has also been found to be a valuable standard technique to measure both copy DNA (cDNA) and genomic DNA (gDNA) levels, although the finding data can be significantly variable and non-reproducible without relevant validation and verification of both primers and samples. The SYBR green quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method has been reported as an appropriate technique for quantitative detection and species discrimination, and has been applied profitably in different experiments to determine, quantify, and discriminate species. Although both TaqMan qRT-PCR and SYBR green qRT-PCR are sensitive and rapid, the SYBR green qRT-PCR assay is easy and the TaqMan qRT-PCR assay is specific but expensive due to the probe required. This review aimed to introduce dPCR, qPCR, SYBR green PCR kit, and digital PCR, compare them, and also introduce their advantages in the detection of different diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100086, China
| | - Wenli Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100086, China
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López Corrales J, Cwiklinski K, De Marco Verissimo C, Dorey A, Lalor R, Jewhurst H, McEvoy A, Diskin M, Duffy C, Cosby SL, Keane OM, Dalton JP. Diagnosis of sheep fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica using cathepsin L enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Vet Parasitol 2021; 298:109517. [PMID: 34271318 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Fasciolosis, a global parasitic disease of agricultural livestock, is caused by the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. Management and strategic control of fasciolosis on farms depends on early assessment of the extent of disease so that control measures can be implemented quickly. Traditionally, this has relied on the detection of eggs in the faeces of animals, a laborious method that lacks sensitivity, especially for sub-clinical infections, and identifies chronic infections only. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) offer a quicker and more sensitive serological means of diagnosis that could detect early acute infection before significant liver damage occurs. The performance of three functionally-active recombinant forms of the major F. hepatica secreted cathepsins L, rFhCL1, rFhCL2, rFhCL3, and a cathepsin B, rFhCB3, were evaluated as antigens in an indirect ELISA to serologically diagnose liver fluke infection in experimentally and naturally infected sheep. rFhCL1 and rFhCL3 were the most effective of the four antigens detecting fasciolosis in sheep as early as three weeks after experimental infection, at least five weeks earlier than both coproantigen and faecal egg tests. In addition, the rFhCL1 and rFhCL3 ELISAs had a very low detection limit for liver fluke in lambs exposed to natural infection on pastures and thus could play a major role in the surveillance of farms and a 'test and treat' approach to disease management. Finally, antibodies to all three cathepsin L proteases remain high throughout chronic infection but decline rapidly after drug treatment with the flukicide, triclabendazole, implying that the test may be adapted to trace the effectiveness of drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús López Corrales
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Krystyna Cwiklinski
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Carolina De Marco Verissimo
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Amber Dorey
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Richard Lalor
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Heather Jewhurst
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Amanda McEvoy
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co., Galway, Ireland
| | - Michael Diskin
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co., Galway, Ireland
| | - Catherine Duffy
- Virology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, BT4 3SD, UK
| | - S Louise Cosby
- Virology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, BT4 3SD, UK
| | - Orla M Keane
- Animal & Bioscience Department, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - John Pius Dalton
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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