Molecular Testing of Environmental Samples as a Potential Source to Estimate Parasite Infection

• Published in: Tropical medicine and infectious disease Vol. 9; no. 10; p. 226
• Main Authors: Mejia, Rojelio, Slatko, Barton, Almazan, Cristina, Cimino, Ruben, Krolewiecki, Alejandro, Duran, Natalia Montellano, Valera Aspetty, Jacob Edwin, Vargas, Paola Andrea, Oliveira Amorim, Chiara Cássia, Geiger, Stefan Michael, Fujiwara, Ricardo Toshio, Ramirez, Juan David, Llangarí-Arizo, Luz Marina, Guadalupe, Irene, Villanueva-Lizama, Liliana E., Cruz-Chan, Julio Vladimir, Ojeda, María Leticia, Aranda, Eva Mereles, Benedetti, Sandra Ocampos, Camones Rivera, Maritza Dalí, Sabino, Eddyson Montalvo, Pineda, Carlos, Wetzel, Eric J., Cooper, Philip J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 26.09.2024
• ISSN: 2414-6366; 2414-6366
• DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9100226

We discuss the potential usefulness of molecular testing of soil, dust, and water samples to detect medically important parasites, and where such testing could be used to supplement stool sampling in humans. A wide variety of parasites including protozoa and helminths, many of which are zoonotic, have an important infection reservoir in the environment. In some cases, this environmental period is essential for further parasite development. We describe the progress in implementing methods for the molecular detection of these parasites in soil across eight collaborating centers in Latin America and represent a variety of potential applications in improving our understanding of parasite epidemiology and mapping, surveillance, and control of these parasites. This methodology offers new opportunities for improving our understanding of a wide variety of parasites of public health importance and novel tools for their control.