A previously reported sensitive PCR assay for the detection of
Schistosoma mansoni
DNA was updated and
evaluated. Changes in the DNA extraction method, including the use of a worldwide available commercial kit and
the inclusion of additional quality control measures, increased the robustness of the test, as confirmed by the analysis
of 67 faecal samples from an endemic area in Brazil. The PCR assay is at hand as a proven, reliable diagnostic
test for the control of schistosomiasis in specific settings.
