The Current Status of Laboratory Diagnosis of Angiostrongylus Cantonensis Infections in Humans Using Serologic and Molecular Methods

Overview

Journal Hawaii J Med Public Health

Specialties General Medicine
Public Health

Date 2013 Aug 1

PMID 23901386

Citations 16

Authors

Patricia P Wilkins

Yvonne Qvarnstrom

A Christian Whelen

Caitlin Saucier

Alexandre J da Silva

Praphathip Eamsobhana

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Laboratory diagnosis of angiostrongyliasis relies on serological techniques, since definitive diagnosis is insensitive. Modern antibody detection methods focus on antibodies to the 29 and 31 kDa proteins of the parasite. Antigen detection may ultimately prove to be more reliable than antibody detection but no method has been adopted for clinical diagnostic use. Diagnosis using PCR amplification of DNA sequences specific to Angiostrongylus cantonensis have been developed but have not yet been validated for clinical use. Diagnostic tests have not been developed commercially and in the United States tests developed experimentally by non-commercial laboratories have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before they can be sold to other laboratories for diagnostic purposes.

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