Molecular Testing of Environmental Samples as a Potential Source to Estimate Parasite Infection

We discuss the potential usefulness of molecular testing of soil, dust, and water samples to detect medically important parasites, and where such testing could be used to supplement stool sampling in humans. A wide variety of parasites including protozoa and helminths, many of which are zoonotic, ha...

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Autores:
Tipo de recurso:
Fecha de publicación:
2024
Institución:
Universidad del Rosario
Repositorio:
Repositorio EdocUR - U. Rosario
Idioma:
eng
OAI Identifier:
oai:repository.urosario.edu.co:10336/44827
Acceso en línea:
https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100226
https://repository.urosario.edu.co/handle/10336/44827
Palabra clave:
Inmunología
Microbiología General
Salud públic medioambiental y laboral
Enfermedades infecciosas
Rights
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Description
Summary:We discuss the potential usefulness of molecular testing of soil, dust, and water samples to detect medically important parasites, and where such testing could be used to supplement stool sampling in humans. A wide variety of parasites including protozoa and helminths, many of which are zoonotic, have an important infection reservoir in the environment. In some cases, this environmental period is essential for further parasite development. We describe the progress in implementing methods for the molecular detection of these parasites in soil across eight collaborating centers in Latin America and represent a variety of potential applications in improving our understanding of parasite epidemiology and mapping, surveillance, and control of these parasites. This methodology offers new opportunities for improving our understanding of a wide variety of parasites of public health importance and novel tools for their control.