Application of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infection among anemic pregnant women

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection can cause anemia in pregnant women and is a major public health problem. Ascariasis, amebiasis, hookworm, giardiasis, and trichuriasis are common intestinal infestations causing anemia. The study detects them by using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Stool samples were collected, transported, DNA extraction was done followed by multiplex real-time PCR was performed using specific primers and probes for their detection. The results so obtained were compared with results of microscopy. Results: A total of 234 pregnant women were enrolled in the study, of which 82.5% were anemic. Among them, parasites were detected by multiplex real-time PCR such as Ascaris lumbricoides in 73%, Ancylostoma duodenale in 8%, Entamoeba histolytica in 17%, Giardia duodenalis in 2%, and Trichuris trichiura 0%. All pregnant women with intestinal parasitic infection were anemic. Multiplex real-time PCR showed a high detection rate as compared to microscopy (100% vs. 14.7%). Polyparasitism was detected in 11% of cases using multiplex real-time PCR. Conclusion: Multiplex real-time PCR enabled the detection of intestinal parasites in pregnant anemic women with distinct advantage over microscopy. It can potentially be used in an epidemiological surveillance study and can potentially influence the treatment in practice for intestinal parasitic infection causing anemia in pregnant women.