Purpose: To detect
Strongyloides ratti in faecal samples using conventional methods and to confirm the
identification using a sensitive and specific method, namely, polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Methods: A PCR method targeting the small subunit of the rRNA gene was performed in this study for
the detection of DNA from
Strongyloides ratti (an animal model of
S. stercoralis
) in faecal samples of
wild Brown rats,
Rattus norvegicus
.
Results: Strongyloides ratti was detected in 34.2 % of collected rats by different conventional
techniques and confirmed by PCR. The essay presented 100 % sensitivity with
Strongyloides
universal
primer.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the application of PCR with universal primer is a
very sensitive methodology to detect
S. ratti in faecal material of wild rats infected even with very low
parasite burden.
