Application of a real-time PCR method for detecting and monitoring hookworm Necator americanus infections in Southern China

摘要

cqvip:Objective:To develop a quautitative PCR method for detecting hookworm infection and quantification.Methods:A real-time PCR method was designed hased on the intergenic regionⅡof ribosomal DNA of the hookworm Neeator americanus.The deteetion limit of this method was compared with the microscopy-hased Kato-Katz method.The real-time PCR method was used to conduct an epidemiological survey of hookworm infection in southern Fujian Province of China.Result:The real-time PCR method was specific for detecting Necator americanus infection,and was more sensitive than conventional PCR or microscopy-based method.A preliminary survey for hookworm infection in villages of Fujian Province confirmed the high prevalence of hnokworm infections in the resident populations.In addition,the infection rate in women was significantly higher than thai of in men.Conclusions:A real-time PCR method is designed,which has increased detection sensitivity for more accurate epidemiological studies of hookworm infections,especially when intensity of the infection needs to he considered.