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Publication Date

2023-04-27

First Advisor

Steven A. Williams

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biochemistry

Keywords

qPCR, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, neglected tropical disease, diagnostic, multiplex qPCR

Abstract

Schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis are two neglected tropical diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people globally, primarily in tropical and sub-tropical low- and middle-income countries. In Africa these diseases are caused primarily by Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium (schistosomiasis), and Wuchereria bancrofti (lymphatic filariasis). Historically these two diseases have been diagnosed with microscopic techniques using urine (S. haematobium), stool (S. mansoni) or blood (W. bancrofti) to detect the presence of parasites or parasite eggs. Microscopy may lead to misidentification of species present as well as false negatives for patients with low-intensity infections, as their sample may not contain the diagnostic material needed to obtain a true positive result from microscopy. More accurate diagnosis of these infections lies in nucleic acid-based diagnostics such as quantitative PCR, which can detect small amounts of parasite DNA. Quantitative PCR assays can detect all three parasites in urine, which is easier to obtain than blood and stool and contains fewer PCR inhibitors. Here, we report the progress of multiplexing three sensitive and specific quantitative PCR assays for diagnosis of S. mansoni, S. haematobium, and W. bancrofti and examine the feasibility of this technique as a urine assay.

Rights

©2023 Siobhan Dietz. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

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