Improved Diagnostic Tool Enhances Global Monitoring of Strongyloidiasis

A new advanced diagnostic test developed by researchers improves the detection and monitoring of strongyloidiasis, a neglected tropical disease, by accurately distinguishing between key parasite species affecting humans and animals.

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Scientists at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have introduced a groundbreaking diagnostic method that significantly advances the detection and monitoring of strongyloidiasis, a parasitic disease caused by worms of the Strongyloides genus. This innovative test enables precise identification of two closely related species, Strongyloides stercoralis—which primarily infects humans—and Strongyloides fuelleborni fuelleborni, traditionally found in non-human primates but increasingly linked to zoonotic transmission.

Previously, molecular surveillance relied on tests unable to differentiate between these species, risking misdiagnosis and underreporting of zoonotic cases. The novel duplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay, comparable to COVID-19 testing procedures, targets mitochondrial DNA to accurately distinguish the species from clinical samples. This development is pivotal, as strongyloidiasis is one of the 21 neglected tropical diseases recognized by the World Health Organization. Challenges in diagnosis have impeded efforts to map its distribution and implement effective control strategies.

The new diagnostic tool demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity during laboratory validation, and applied to 96 clinical samples from the UK and Italy, it successfully identified infections, including coinfections. Researchers recommend a two-step testing process: a broad screening for the Strongyloides genus followed by species-specific confirmation with the new assay. This approach aims to improve detection, especially in non-endemic countries where infections are often overlooked.

Lead author Dr. Lucas Cunningham emphasized that this assay fills a critical gap in disease surveillance, facilitating better understanding of zoonotic transmission cycles and informing targeted interventions. Professor Russell Stothard highlighted the potential for widespread use in routine surveillance to detect imported and local infections. The study also serves as a model for developing diagnostics for other neglected tropical diseases with zoonotic potential.

Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, this research marks a significant step toward enhanced global monitoring, ultimately supporting more effective disease control and prevention efforts.

[Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-diagnostic-global-surveillance-strongyloidiasis.html]