Emerging Molecular Methods for the Diagnosis and Epidemiological Study of Parasitic Infections

Parasitic diseases constitute major public health challenges worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is estimated that more than one billion people worldwide are infected by parasites presenting with different disease conditions. The routine laboratory diagnosis of parasitic infections in most tropical countries involves conventional methods, such as optical microscopy, used for the morphological identification of parasites. Although the development and adaptation of new technologies for the genetic characterisation and identification of parasites continue to accelerate, providing an increasing number of epidemiological research and diagnostic tools in developed countries, little or none is available in most developing countries. This review examines the main current and new diagnostic techniques for confirmation of parasite infections, namely polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and Luminex xMAP technology. Molecular assays have comprehensively assisted in the diagnosis, treatment and epidemiological studies of parasitic diseases that affect people worldwide, helping to control parasitic disease mortality.