DIAGNOSTIC PCR IN VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY - TRITRICHOMONOSIS, NEOSPOROSIS TOXOPLASMOSIS, ECHINOCOCCOSIS/CYSTICERCOSIS/

The PCR is now widely introduced as a diagnostic and epidemiological t ool in veterinary and human parasitology. Certain parasitic infections are detected using PCR with much higher sensitivity compared to conve ntional methods, and novel molecular approaches are considered for the analysis of infectiological questions. A broad spectrum of parasites relevant for veterinary and human parasitology already can be diagnose d by PCR. In the present review article, PCR-based methods developped or applied at the Institute of Parasitology in Berne for the detection of protozoan infections (Tritrichomonosis, Neosporosis, Toxoplasmosis ) and helminthic infections (Echinococcosis, Taeniosis) are summarized .