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Advances in the diagnosis of Ascaris suum infections in pigs and their possible applications in humans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2014

JOHNNY VLAMINCK
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
BRUNO LEVECKE
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
JOZEF VERCRUYSSE
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
PETER GELDHOF*
Affiliation:
Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
*
*Corresponding author: Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. E-mail: [email protected]

Summary

Ascariasis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in both humans and pigs. It has been shown to cause growth deficits in both species and to impair cognitive development in children. Notwithstanding its substantial impact on pig economy and public health, diagnosis of ascariasis has mostly relied on the detection of eggs in stool and further development of novel, more sensitive methods has been limited or non-existent. Here, we discuss the currently available techniques for the diagnosis of ascariasis in pigs, their caveats, and the implications of a new serological detection technique for the evaluation of both pig and human ascariasis.

Type
Special Issue Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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References

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