Multiplex PCR for Differential Identification of Broad Tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothrium) Infecting Humans

The specific identification of broad tapeworms (genus Diphyllobothrium) infecting humans is very difficult to perform by morphological observation. Molecular analysis by PCR and sequencing represents the only reliable tool to date to identify these parasites to the species level. Due to the recent s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2010-09, Vol.48 (9), p.3111-3116
Main Authors: Wicht, Barbara, Yanagida, Tetsuya, Scholz, Tomáš, Ito, Akira, Jiménez, Juan A, Brabec, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Diphyllobothriasis - diagnosis
Diphyllobothriasis - parasitology
Diphyllobothrium - classification
Diphyllobothrium - genetics
Diphyllobothrium - isolation & purification
DNA, Helminth - chemistry
DNA, Helminth - genetics
Electron Transport Complex IV - genetics
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Helminth Proteins - genetics
Humans
Microbiology
Molecular Sequence Data
Parasitology
Parasitology - methods
Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Summary:The specific identification of broad tapeworms (genus Diphyllobothrium) infecting humans is very difficult to perform by morphological observation. Molecular analysis by PCR and sequencing represents the only reliable tool to date to identify these parasites to the species level. Due to the recent spread of human diphyllobothriosis in several countries, a correct diagnosis has become crucial to better understand the distribution and the life cycle of human-infecting species as well as to prevent the introduction of parasites to disease-free water systems. Nevertheless, PCR and sequencing, although highly precise, are too complicated, long, and expensive to be employed in medical laboratories for routine diagnostics. In the present study we optimized a cheap and rapid molecular test for the differential identification of the most common Diphyllobothrium species infecting humans (D. latum, D. dendriticum, D. nihonkaiense, and D. pacificum), based on a multiplex PCR with the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of mitochondrial DNA.
ISSN:0095-1137
1098-660X
DOI:10.1128/JCM.00445-10