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Published on: March 28, 2025
204
Detection of circulatory E. granulosus-derived cell-free DNA in the plasma and urine of human cystic echinococcosis
Bentolhoda Habibi1,2, Shirzad Gholami1,3, Abouzar Bagheri4
1Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Molecular Biology Reports
|March 27, 2024
Summary
Early diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) is challenging. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma shows promise as a sensitive biomarker for detecting E. granulosus infection, offering a faster alternative to serology.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cystic echinococcosis (CE) diagnosis lacks early-stage tools.
- Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) shows potential as a biomarker for parasitic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cfDNA as a diagnostic biomarker for CE.
- To develop a PCR assay for detecting E. granulosus cfDNA.
Main Methods:
- Collected plasma and urine samples from 39 CE patients.
- Performed ELISA for anti-echinococcal antibodies.
- Developed an in-house PCR assay to detect E. granulosus cfDNA in plasma and urine.
Main Results:
- Serology detected E. granulosus in 76.9% of patients.
- Plasma cfDNA PCR detected E. granulosus in 79.5% of samples.
- Urine cfDNA PCR detected E. granulosus in 58.97% of samples.
- Plasma PCR and serology showed good agreement (Kappa=0.53).
Conclusions:
- Plasma-based PCR is a reliable and sensitive tool for diagnosing CE.
- This method offers speed and validity, serving as an alternative to serology in endemic regions.
