Browsing by Author "van Mens, S.P."
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Item Comparison of real-time pcr and kato smear microscopy for the detection of hookworm infections in three consecutive faecal samples from schoolchildren in ghana(Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2013-02) van Mens, S.P.; Aryeetey, Y.; Yazdanbakhshc, M.; van Lieshoutc, L.; Boakyec, D.; Verweij, J.J.Background: The classic technique used to detect hookworm infections in population-based surveys is microscopic examination of Kato thick smears of multiple faecal samples per person as variation in soil-transmitted helminth egg output is common. Methods: As an alternative to this time-consuming and logistically difficult procedure, a PCR-based method to detect hookworm infections was evaluated. Faecal samples collected from 65 Ghanaian school children during February-June 2006 were examined using both techniques. Results: Thirty-one children with ahookworm infection were detected by Kato examination of three faecal samples compared with 30 children detected by PCR of a single faecal sample and 39 detected by PCR of three faecal samples. Conclusion: PCR provides a sensitive alternative to the conventional microscopic detection of hookworm infections. © Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2013. All rights reserved.