Molecular Detection of Human Parasitic Pathogens PDF

Preface

Parasites are a group of eukaryotic organisms that may be free living or form a symbiotic or parasitic relationship with their hosts. Consisting of over 800,000 recognized species, parasites may be unicellular (protozoa) or multicellular (helminths and arthropods). In the current six kingdom systems for biological organisms (i.e., Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Chromista, Plantae, and Animalia), protozoa constitute an independent kingdom, while helminths and arthropods make up parts of the kingdom Animalia.

The association of parasites with human populations had occurred long before the emergence of civilization. The identification of hookworm ova and Paragonimus ova in human coprolites dated c. 5000 BC and c. 2500 BC in Brazil and Chile, respectively, reinforces the longstanding relationship between parasitic pathogens and human races. In spite of our unrelenting efforts against parasitic diseases, parasites continue to cause significant human morbidity and mortality. For example, Plasmodium, the malaria parasite, inflicts >250 million people worldwide and causes >1 million deaths per annum; soil-transmitted helminths such as roundworm (Ascaris), whipworm (Trichuris), and hookworm (Ancylostoma and Necator) affect >2 billion people globally, resulting in >200,000 yearly deaths. Other important human parasitic pathogens include Schistosoma, filariae, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania, which together cause miseries to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

In view of their diverse range and variety, it is critical that parasites are correctly identified so that effective treatment and control of parasitic diseases can be implemented. Traditionally, laboratory identification of parasites has relied upon various phenotypic procedures that detect their morphological, biological, and immunological features. Because these procedures tend to be time consuming and require specialized skills, molecular methods based on nucleic acid amplification technologies have been increasingly utilized for rapid, sensitive, and specific characterization of parasites. As a consequence, a large number of original molecular protocols and subsequent modifications have been reported. This has created a dilemma to laboratory personnel who are not directly involved in the development of original or modified protocols to know which are most appropriate to adopt for accurate identification of parasites of interest.

The purpose of the current book is to address this issue, with international scientists in respective parasite research and diagnosis providing expert summaries on current diagnostic approaches for major human parasitic pathogens. Each chapter consists of a brief review on the classification, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of an important parasite genus or group; an outline of clinical sample collection and preparation procedures; a selection of representative stepwise molecular protocols; and a discussion on further research requirements relating to improved diagnosis. This book constitutes a reliable and convenient reference on molecular detection and identification of major human parasitic pathogens; an indispensable tool for upcoming and experienced medical, veterinary, and industrial laboratory scientists engaged in parasite characterization; and an essential textbook for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in parasitology.

A comprehensive book such as this is clearly beyond an individual's capacity. I am fortunate and honored to have a large panel of international parasitologists as chapter contributors. Their detailed knowledge and technical insights have greatly enriched this book. Additionally, the professionalism and dedication of executive editor Barbara Norwitz and senior project coordinator Jill Jurgensen at CRC Press have enhanced its presentation. Finally, the compilation of this all-encompassing volume would have been impossible without the understanding and support of my family, Liling Ma, Brenda, and Cathy.