ABSTRACT
In parasitology, routine laboratory diagnosis involves conventional methods, such as optical microscopy, used for the morphological identification of parasites. Currently, molecular biology techniques are increasingly used to diagnose parasite structures in order to enhance the identification and characterization of parasites. The objective of the present study was to review the main current and new diagnostic techniques for confirmation of parasite infections, namely: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), Luminex xMAP, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), in addition to microsatellites. Molecular assays have comprehensively assisted in the diagnosis, treatment and epidemiological studies of parasitic diseases that affect people worldwide, helping to control parasitic disease mortality.
Subject(s)
Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis , Parasitic Diseases/diagnosis , Parasitic Diseases/epidemiology , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We determined the total serum IgE levels among healthy individuals and atopic patients with respiratory symptoms in Porto Alegre. METHODS: Atopic patients (n: 92) and normal controls (n: 86) were stratified according to age and sex. Presence of atopy was recorded by history, clinical examination and skin prick test reactivity to common aeroallergens. Serum IgE was measured by Pharmacia Immuno-Cap System. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that total serum IgE is higher in males than in females. Total serum IgE levels were significantly higher in the atopic group (404 UI/mL) in comparison with the non-atopics controls (54.4 UI/mL). Our study provided the normal range for total serum IgE among atopics and non-atopics individuals in Porto Alegre. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of serum IgE among our population (atopics and non-atopics) is similar to the one observed in other countries.
Subject(s)
Asthma/blood , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Rhinitis/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Asthma/physiopathology , Biomarkers/blood , Brazil , Female , Humans , Male , Rhinitis/physiopathology , Sex Factors , Skin TestsABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Determinar em nossa cidade o nível sérico de IgE em indivíduos sadios, não- atópicos e em pacientes atópicos com manifestações respiratórias. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 92 pacientes atópicos e 86 indivíduos sadios de ambos os sexos, classificados em grupos de acordo com faixa etária e sexo. A presença de atopia foi determinada através da história, exame físico e reatividade a testes cutâneos de puntura com alérgenos inalantes. A IgE sérica foi avaliada utilizando-se o sistema Pharmacia Immuno-Cap. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que o nível de IgE no soro é mais elevado no sexo masculino. Os valores médios de IgE total nos pacientes atópicos (401 UI/mL) são significativamente maiores que àqueles observados entre indivíduos não-atópicos (54,4 UI/mL). Através desse levantamento foi possível determinar os valores normais para as faixas etárias estudadas entre indivíduos sadios de Porto Alegre. CONCLUSÕES: Nosso estudo permitiu observar que o nível de IgE entre pacientes atópicos e indivíduos não-atópicos apresenta distribuição similar àquela verificada em outros países.
