Usefulness of genome analysis methods for diagnosis of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis
Kasprzak, W.; Majewska, A.C.
Wiadomosci Parazytologiczne 41(1): 3-11
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5163 PMID: 7638961 Document Number: 452444
The article comprises a critical review on practical applications of molecular technology in parasitological diagnostics in a broad sense, also as a diagnosis of species and a method of epidemiological analysis. Techniques of genome analysis at different levels, as specific nucleic acid probes, DNA restriction profiles (RFLP), hybridization techniques, pulse-field gel electrophoresis, in vitro nucleic acid amplification, and DNA fingerprint technique used in studies on Giardia and Cryptosporidium were discussed. The essential reservation as far as this technology is concerned refers to its usefulness in parasitological diagnostics; there is no sense in working out methods for recognizing parasites which could otherwise be identified by well trained parasitologists and simple microscopic methods. The improved diagnosis of parasites resulting from the application of molecular technology significantly contributed to the armarium of parasitologists. Application of recent molecular technology in diagnosis of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis may basically support clinical diagnosis which provides possibilities of early and selective treatment and makes possible epidemiological studies. These assays will permit not only a rapid diagnosis and exact differentiation but will also enable a better recognition of Giardia and Cryptosporidium genome organization. However, in spite of the wide availability of this new techniques they have not been fully applied--as yet--in diagnosis and in epidemiological studies on these parasites. The authors share the opinion of Busch (1991) on the need of proper recognition of high-quality and rigorous work in employing new molecular assays, because their wide availability and high sensitivity could cause "false-positive" results by contamination with amplified DNA sequences.