Assessment of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection ofTrichostrongylusspp. DNA from Human Fecal Samples

Sporadic cases of Tricostrongylosis are reported in humans. Diagnosis of entericTrichostrongylusrelies primarily on coproscopic analysis but morphological identification is difficult because of similarity among nematode species. The method is time consuming and requires some expertise. To overcome these limitations, we developed a molecular approach by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to provide a rapid, specific, and sensitive tool to detectTrichostrongylusspp. in human feces. We designed primers and probe specific forTrichostrongylusrDNA region 5.8S and internal transcribed spacer 2. Three Italian family clusters were analyzed and DNA sequencing was performed to confirm real-time PCR results comparing with known GenBank sequence data. Sequence analysis showed ≥ 99% identity toTrichostrongylus colubriformisandTrichostrongylus axei. This study provides a molecular methodology suitable for fast and specific detection ofTrichostrongylusin fecal specimens and to distinguish the zoonotic species.