diagnosing schistosomiasis by detection of cell-free parasite dna in human plasma血吸虫病诊断寄生虫游离dna的检测人血浆.pdfVIP

Diagnosing Schistosomiasis by Detection of Cell-Free Parasite DNA in Human Plasma 1 2 3 2 1 Dominic Wichmann , Marcus Panning , Thomas Quack , Stefanie Kramme , Gerd-Dieter Burchard , Christoph Grevelding3, Christian Drosten2¤* ¨ 1 Sektion Infektiologie und Tropenmedizin, I. Medizinische Klinik, Universitatsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, 2 Clinical Virology Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany, 3 Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany Abstract Introduction: Schistosomiasis (bilharzia), one of the most relevant parasitoses of humans, is confirmed by microscopic detection of eggs in stool, urine, or organ biopsies. The sensitivity of these procedures is variable due to fluctuation of egg shedding. Serological tests on the other hand do not distinguish between active and past disease. In patients with acute disease (Katayama syndrome), both serology and direct detection may produce false negative results. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a novel diagnostic strategy, following the rationale that Schistosoma DNA may be liberated as a result of parasite turnover and reach the blood. Cell-free parasite DNA (CFPD) was detected in plasma by PCR. Methodology/Principal Findings: Real-time PCR with internal control was developed and optimized for detection of CFPD in human plasma. Distribution was studied in a mouse model for Schistosoma replication and elimination, as well as in human patients seen before and after treatment. CFPD was detectable in mouse plasma, and its concentration correlated with the course of anti-