PCR AMPLIFICATION REACTIONS IN PARASITOLOGY

The development of PCR systems for the detection and identification of pathogenic human parasites has only recently started. Evaluation of m ost of these methods is still lacking. Most likely these methods will need considerable improvement before reliable diagnostic methods becom e available. Only for some parasitic diseases, such as cutaneous leish maniasis, PCR has already proven to be of potential diagnostic value, but even in these cases the clinical applicability will depend on the availability of highly standardized detection systems including method s and ingredients for sample collection, sample preparation and detect ion and identification of the PCR products.