Application of a real-time PCR method for detecting and monitoring hookworm Necator americanus infections in Southern China

Jia Xu Wang, Cang Sang Pan, Li Wang Cui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

To develop a quantitative PCR method for detecting hookworm infection and quantification. Methods: A real-time PCR method was designed based on the intergenic region II of ribosomal DNA of the hookworm Necator americanus. The detection limit of this method was compared with the microscopy-based Kato-Katz method. The real-time PCR method was used to conduct an epidemiological survey of hookworm infection in southern Fujian Province of China. Results: The real-time PCR method was specific for detecting Necator americanus infection, and was more sensitive than conventional PCR or microscopy-based method. A preliminary survey for hookworm infection in villages of Fujian Province confirmed the high prevalence of hookworm infections in the resident populations. In addition, the infection rate in women was significantly higher than that of in men. Conclusions: A real-time PCR method is designed, which has increased detection sensitivity for more accurate epidemiological studies of hookworm infections, especially when intensity of the infection needs to be considered.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)925-929
Number of pages5
JournalAsian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
Volume2
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)

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