Diagnóstico molecular de parasitosis intestinales

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Clinical Microbiology

Background:

• Gastrointestinal parasitic infections pose a significant global health challenge.
• Conventional microscopy is being superseded by molecular techniques in clinical laboratories due to efficiency and accuracy.
• The increasing volume of diagnostic tests necessitates advanced methods for pathogen detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of molecular diagnostic techniques for human intestinal parasites.
• To highlight the benefits of PCR-based syndromic diagnosis for cost-effectiveness and automation.
• To discuss genetic markers and methods for key enteric protozoa, microsporidia, stramenopiles, and helminths.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on molecular diagnostic methods for intestinal parasites.
• Focus on PCR-based techniques, including those for simultaneous detection (syndromic diagnosis).
• Analysis of genetic markers and available formats for various parasite species.

Main Results:

• Molecular methods, especially PCR, are increasingly adopted for diagnosing gastrointestinal parasites.
• Syndromic PCR panels enable simultaneous detection, improving workflow and cost-efficiency.
• Established genetic markers facilitate accurate identification and genotyping of major human intestinal parasites.

Conclusions:

• Molecular diagnostics represent the state-of-the-art for detecting human intestinal parasites, offering superior accuracy and efficiency.
• PCR-based syndromic approaches are crucial for modern clinical laboratories, aiding automation and result comparability.
• Continued development and application of molecular tools are vital for managing parasitic infections worldwide.