Journal article
Application of PCR-based tools to explore strongyloides infection in people in parts of northern Australia
GJ Robertson, AV Koehler, RB Gasser, M Watts, R Norton, RS Bradbury
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease | MDPI | Published : 2017
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis, which is caused by infection with the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, is endemic to areas of northern Australia. Diagnosis in this region remains difficult due to the distances between endemic communities and diagnostic laboratories, leading to lengthy delays in stool processing for microscopy and culture. PCR represents a viable solution to this difficulty, having potential for high sensitivity detection of S. stercoralis, even in older, unpreserved faecal samples. We prospectively collected 695 faecal specimens that were submitted to The Townsville Hospital Microbiology Laboratory from the North Queensland region for routine parasitological examination, and subjected ..
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Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
This study was funded through the generous support of the Pathology Queensland Study, Education, and Research Fund. We are grateful to Professor Adrian Miller for reviewing the draft manuscript. Molecular work at the University was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC LP160101299; RBG and AVK). This paper is dedicated to the memory of our friend and colleague, Emeritus Professor Rick Speare. Rick's incredible work in strongyloidiasis, Indigenous health, and public health more broadly, were an inspiration to all of us, and his kindness, mentoring spirit, and generosity are missed by us all.