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2018-02-09

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cc by (c) Buonfrate et al., 2018
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/134926

Accuracy of molecular biology techniques for the diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis infection-A systematic review and meta-analysis

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006229

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a neglected tropical disease which can lead to severe symptoms and even death in immunosuppressed people. Unfortunately, its diagnosis is hampered by the lack of a gold standard, as the sensitivity of traditional parasitological tests (including microscopic examination of stool samples and coproculture) is low. Hence, alternative diagnostic methods, such as molecular biology techniques (mostly polymerase chain reaction, PCR) have been implemented. However, there are discrepancies in the reported accuracy of PCR. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of PCR for the diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (record: CRD42016054298). Fourteen studies, 12 of which evaluating real-time PCR, were included in the analysis. The specificity of the techniques resulted high (ranging from 93 to 95%, according to the reference test(s) used). When all molecular techniques were compared to parasitological methods, the sensitivity of PCR was assessed at 71.8% (95% CI 52.2-85.5), that decreased to 61.8% (95% CI 42.0-78.4) when serology was added among the reference tests. Similarly, sensitivity of real-time PCR resulted 64.4% (95% CI 46.2-77.7) when compared to parasitological methods only, 56.5% (95% CI 39.2-72.4) including serology. CONCLUSIONS: PCR might not be suitable for screening purpose, whereas it might have a role as a confirmatory test.

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Malalties infeccioses, Biologia molecular

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Communicable diseases, Molecular biology

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BUONFRATE, Dora, et al. Accuracy of molecular biology techniques for the diagnosis of
                Strongyloides stercoralis infection-A systematic review and
                meta-analysis. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2018. Vol. 12, num. 2, pags. e0006229. ISSN 1935-2735. [consulted: 12 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/134926

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