Nested PCR to detect and distinguish the sympatric filarial species Onchocerca volvulus, Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella perstans in the Amazon Region

Bibliographic Details
Title: Nested PCR to detect and distinguish the sympatric filarial species Onchocerca volvulus, Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella perstans in the Amazon Region
Authors: Tang, Thuy-Huong Ta, López-Vélez, Rogelio, Lanza, Marta, Shelley, Anthony John, Rubio, Jose Miguel, Luz, Sérgio Luiz Bessa
Source: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. September 2010 105(6)
Publisher Information: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde, 2010.
Publication Year: 2010
Subject Terms: nested PCR, 18S rDNA, ITS-1, onchocerciasis, mansonelliasis, Brazil
More Details: We present filaria-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is based on amplification of first internal transcribed spacer rDNA to distinguish three parasitic filarial species (Onchocerca volvulus, Mansonella ozzardiand Mansonella perstans) that can be found in the Amazon Region. Nested PCR-based identifications yielded the same results as those utilizing morphological characters. Nested PCR is highly sensitive and specific and it detects low-level infections in both humans and vectors. No cross-amplifications were observed with various other blood parasites and no false-positive results were obtained with the nested PCR. The method works efficiently with whole-blood, blood-spot and skin biopsy samples. Our method may thus be suitable for assessing the efficacy of filaria control programmes in Amazonia by recording parasite infections in both the human host and the vector. By specifically differentiating the major sympatric species of filaria, this technique could also enhance epidemiological research in the region.
Document Type: article
File Description: text/html
Language: English
ISSN: 0074-0276
DOI: 10.1590/S0074-02762010000600016
Access URL: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762010000600016
Rights: info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Accession Number: edssci.S0074.02762010000600016
Database: SciELO
More Details
ISSN:00740276
DOI:10.1590/S0074-02762010000600016
Published in:Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Language:English