Molecular methods for parasite identification have been more commonly performed in reference laboratories but are becoming more widely available in non-reference labs as well. Since these tests depend on being able to retrieve the parasitic DNA from a stool sample, the following two hurdles must be overcome:
- releasing the DNA from resistant structures such as cysts and spores
- nucleic acids that are isolated must be free of interfering or inhibiting substances
Various heating techniques, as well as inhibiting materials, have been developed to overcome these difficulties.
Different PCR-based techniques have been developed for many protozoan parasites covered in this course. Multiplex PCR and related techniques are frequently used. Diagnosis by molecular methods is especially appropriate for microbiology labs that already use automated PCR techniques.
