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The identification of diseases is performed by the experts of the SAS within the Laboratory of Diagnostics and Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases

Thanks to scientists from the SAS, it will be easier to identify parasitic worms in the body

20. 8. 2020 | 1781 visits

The diagnosis of parasitic diseases of people in Slovakia is still not at a sufficient level. However, this situation is significantly changing by the results of the current project of the Institute of Parasitology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Scientists have succeeded in introducing diagnosis of diseases, which have not yet been identified in Slovakia in the human body.

“We consider the introduction and standardization of molecular diagnosis of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis, serious diseases caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus, as well as diagnosis of the so-called human intestinal tapeworms, specifically Taenia saginata and Taenia solium, as the most important outputs,” said Daniela Antolová of the Institute of Parasitology SAS.

The identification of diseases caused by parasitic worms in the human body is performed by the experts of the SAS within the Laboratory of Diagnostics and Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases. This workplace is, at the same time, the only one in Slovakia and probably also in the Czech Republic, which can perform these tests.

“Molecular diagnostics introduced at the Institute of Parasitology SAS is an original approach that will enable the identification of the causative agent not only from the stool but also when suspecting the organ form of the disease (cysticercosis) even from biological material obtained during surgery. Simultaneously, it will be a very valuable source of information for epidemiologists, because it will enable to identify which species of tapeworm is dominant in Slovakia,” added Daniela Antolová.

The project supported by the grant agency APVV entitled “Standardization of new approaches in the diagnosis of severe human helminthiasis and their application in practice in the current epidemiological and sociological conditions of Slovakia” was solved at the Institute of Parasitology SAS in 2016 – 2020.

Monika Tináková

Photo: Institute of Parasitology SAS

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