Human Trichuriasis: Diagnostics Update

Abstract

Trichuris trichiura infection is part of the so-called neglected tropical diseases, given the little interest and resources spent in developing novel diagnostic tools and treatment to detect and fight this disease. One of the main neglected aspects of trichuriasis pertains to diagnostic methods, which are currently based on copro-parasitological methods and burdened by low sensitivity. This leads to different levels of underestimation of the real prevalence and morbidity caused by T. trichiura, in both public health and individual patient management. Only few new diagnostic methods showing good performance and affordability have been standardized and fine-tuned. Molecular-based diagnostics such as those based on the polymerase chain reaction are the main diagnostic tool for infectious diseases nowadays, but their use in parasitology is still limited owing to their high cost making them unaffordable in many countries where T. trichiura is endemic. Research and innovation are needed in order to develop new and accurate methods that are accessible for the diagnosis of this parasite and of other soil-transmitted helminths.