Application of Molecular Techniques for Detection of Parasitic Infections

In parasitology, routine laboratory methods such as optical microscope are usually used for morphological identification of parasites. Recent studies have focused on alternative methods to improve the diagnostic methods of parasites. These methods include serological and proteomics techniques using spectroscopy and molecular technologies. Molecular techniques are used for identification of parasites based on their structure and characteristics with high specificity and sensitivity. In this study, new molecular techniques for the diagnosis and identification of parasites are considered. We considered more than 400 articles with published dates of 1980 to 2017 from the available databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Iran Medex, Scopus, SID, Magiran and reference books. Finally, 92 articles were selected for further study. Current and new molecular methods such as PCR, RT-PCR, LAMP, Luminex xMAP, RAPD, AFLP, RFLP, NASBA, and microsatellites can be applied for the diagnosis of parasites infections with high sensitivity and specificity. Molecular methods provide comprehensive assessments for the diagnosis, treatments and epidemiological studies of parasite infections and eventually control mortalities raised by parasites.