Novel PCRs for differential diagnosis of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity12004 @entity281 @entity21564 @entity8785 @entity9859
UNASSIGNED: Cestodes or tapeworms belong to a diverse group of helminths. The adult @entity21564 and @entity8785 tapeworm can infest the @entity1 gut and the larval stage of Echinococcus spp. and @entity8785 can infect tissues of the @entity1 body, causing serious disease. Molecular diagnostics can be performed on proglottids, eggs and on cyst fluids taken by biopsy. Detection of @entity12004 when a @entity281 is suspected is of vital importance and species determination is required for appropriate @entity1 care. For routine diagnostics a single test that is able to detect and type a range of @entity12004 is preferable. We sought to improve our diagnostic procedure that used to rely on PCR and subsequent sequencing of the @entity9859 and Nad1 genes. We have compared these PCRs with novel PCRs on the 12S rRNA and Nad5 gene and established the sensitivity and specificity. A single PCR on the 12S gene proved to be very suitable for detection and specification of Taenia sp. and Echinococcus sp. Both targets harbour enough polymorphic sites to determine the various Echinococcus species. The 12S PCR was most sensitive of all tested.
