Abstract text

Introduction

Helminth infections are a major health burden worldwide which primarily affects subtropical and tropical regions. However, patients originating outside from Europe can import these diseases to Germany. Since our clinic has an infectious diseases department, many patients suspected of having a parasitological infection are treated here.

Objectives

Investigation of stool samples by traditional microbiological methods tends to be rather time and resource consuming. The diagnostic problem increases when it comes to testing procedures for parasitic infections. As in many other laboratories, most of our microbiological stool diagnostics are carried out by syndromic PCR panels. To expand our diagnostic range to parasitic infections, we implemented a Multiplex-Real-time-PCR panel for common helminth infections.

"Patients & methods"

Over a four month period 160 stool samples were screened with the Seegene Allplex™GI-Helminth(I) Assay for presence of gastrointestinal parasites. This assay can detect nine different gastrointestinal parasites. The samples mainly originated from pediatric patients and patients from the infectious diseases department.

Results

In the investigation period an average of 4 samples per week was examined for the presence of parasitic DNA. Parasitic DNA was detected in 9,4% (n = 15) of all tested samples. Positive samples originated from 12 patients. One patient was tested multiple times which accounts for 4 samples. All other patients were sampled only once. Overall, DNA from Strongyloides spp. was most frequently detected (n = 6). It was also the only DNA that was detected in addition to DNA from other gastrointestinal parasites twice. The second most common detected parasitic DNA was from Enterobius vermicularis (n = 2). DNA from Necator americanus, Ancylostoma spp., and Hymnolepsis spp. was only ever detected once. DNA from Taenia sp. Ascaris sp. and Trichuris trichuria was not found at all.

Conclusion

The Assay could make a useful contribution to the diagnosis of common helminth infections. Nevertheless, it is difficult to make a statement about the amount of parasites, as there is no correlation given between the amount of DNA and the amount of eggs, which is a known problem of Real-time-PCR targeting helminths. In the future, it is planned to use traditional methods to re-examine positive samples. The results should always be discussed with the attending physician in order to include any existing symptoms.