Detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction of Schistosoma mansoni DNA in Urine of School Age Chidren in Parts of Osun State

Abstract

Intestinal Schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni is one of the chronic and neglected tropical diseases affecting rural communities. Diagnostic tests play a major role in the identification of Schistosoma mansoni in Nigeria. Schistosoma mansoni is routinely checked by stool microscopy which produces at times false negative result, lacks sensitivity and specificity as low level and asymptomatic infections are also missed. Polymerase chain reaction detection of Schistosoma mansoni from filtered urine is highly sensitive and specific in this study. Stool and urine samples were collected from 248 school children in the study area and were examined for Schistosoma mansoni egg using both direct microscopy and concentration method. The extracted DNA from filter paper prepared from urine and stool were amplified using Schistosoma mansoni Pontes-F and R primers by Polymerase Chain Reaction method. Polymerase chain reaction detection of Schistosoma mansoni using stool as a specimen had the highest prevalence Detection… Oloyede Samuel Bolaji et al.