Diagnosis Of Parasitic Diseases Research Articles

Diagnosis of parasitic diseases using DNA-to-DNA hybridization

Diagnosis of parasitic diseases using DNA-to-DNA hybridization

Application of hybridoma technology to the diagnosis of parasitic disease

Recent applications of hybridoma-derived monoclonal antibodies to the diagnosis of parasitic disease are reviewed. Diagnostic tests, utilizing monoclonal antibodies, have included radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques to detect parasite antigen in host tissues and body fluids and circulating host antiparasite antibody. In general, the use of monoclonal-derived reagents has greatly increased the specificity of diagnosis by eliminating cross-reactions between closely related parasite species, without suffering a significant loss of sensitivity.

9 - Radioimmunoassays and Related Procedures in Seroepidemiology and Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases

9 - Radioimmunoassays and Related Procedures in Seroepidemiology and Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases

Atlas of Human Parasitology

This atlas is directed to students, laboratory personnel, pathologists and others with interest in the laboratory diagnosis of parasitic disease. It includes the common protozoan, trematode, cestode and nematode parasites of man and some parasites of animals which may invade man. The authors have elected not to include the malarial organisms of man because of the inadequacy of the photographic method in reproducing the variety of morphological characteristics necessary to accurate speciation of Plasmodia.The atlas is divided into two parts. Part I gives a brief description of the commonly accepted methodologies for the examination and concentration of diagnostic materials and the accepted staining techniques as aids to diagnosis. Basic morphological features necessary for recognition of species are also considered in Part I. These are illustrated with clear line drawings and summarized in appropriate tables. Part II, the atlas proper, is organized according to genus and species of parasite.

Choice of methodology in the diagnosis of parasitic infections

Diagnosis of parasitic infection requires an epidemiological history and the correlation ot clinical and laboratory findings so that commensal infection can be differentiated from disease process. With malaria, the preparation of blood films and their staining in an alkaline medium is important. The specific identification of the parasite depends on the experience of the pathologist, keeping in mind that the diagnosis of the young malaria ring is difficult. In demonstrating drug resistance ot a particular strain of malaria parasite, serial parasite counts are necessary. The demonstration of Entamoeba histolytica (and other alimentary protozoa) may depend upon the intensity and frequency of examination although the finding of E. histolytica is indicative of clinical amoebiasis only under certain circumstances. Full assessment of metozoan infections requircs specialized techniques including quantitation by egg counting. For example, the excretion of 1,000 hookworm eggs g. of stool is not significant but the excretion of, say, 150,000 eggs g. of stool may indicate a mortal infection. Reference was made to the use and limitations of serology in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. Serological procedures are often requested unnecessarily, because of a lack of understanding of the disease process.

Serological diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

Serological diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

Serologic diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

THE identification of many intestinal parasites is relatively uncomplicated, since an experienced technologist can identify the eggs of helminths or life-cycle stages of protozoa in properly collected stool specimens. There are, however, important parasitic infections that cannot be diagnosed by examination of a stool specimen. A definitive diagnosis of trichinosis or visceral larva migrans can only be made by means of tissue biopsy. An echinococcal cyst of the liver or lung is difficult to identify from a physical examination, chest roentgenogram or liver scan. Clinical toxoplasmosis and extraintestinal amebiasis may pose difficult diagnostic problems for the clinician since the parasites . . .