Diagnostic Techniques for Soil-Transmitted Helminths – Recent Advances

• Main Authors: Khurana S, Singh S, Mewara A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021
• Subjects: soil-transmitted helminths; diagnosis; microscopy; molecular; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/a192c50547f14a62837d34635869b7b8

Sumeeta Khurana,1 Shreya Singh,2 Abhishek Mewara1 1Department of Medical Parasitology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India; 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, IndiaCorrespondence: Sumeeta KhuranaDepartment of Medical Parasitology, Research Block A, PGIMER, Chandigarh, IndiaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections (hookworms, Trichuris, Ascaris) and Strongyloides spp. are associated with a substantial global burden and high morbidity. Sensitive and specific methods for diagnosis of these infections are essential for mapping the burden in communities, accurate assessment of infection levels, to guide interventions and monitoring the success of STH control programs. Despite considerable progress to control STH over several decades, we are still far from identifying a fully adequate diagnostic test. Conventional microscopy-based methods such as direct Kato–Katz smear or mounts after stool centrifugation/flotation-based concentration techniques have been the mainstay of diagnosis, especially in resource-poor countries where these infections abound. However, recently, these are being adapted to closed, easy to perform, digital formats, thereby improving the sensitivity as well as applicability in a remote, resource-limited setting. The use of image analysis systems to identify and quantify helminth eggs, with potential adaptation to smartphones, is also promising. Antibody detection tests have a limited role mostly in the case of Strongyloides hyperinfection. Coproantigen detection tests have been developed and used in veterinary practice for detection of STH, but these have not been evaluated for use in humans. More sensitive molecular diagnostics, including assays developed with new bioinformatic tools and techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and loop-mediated amplification assay, can ...