Collection of Biological Samples From Patients With Echinococcosis and Implementation of a Home-made PCR Method

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Collection of biological samples from echinococcosis patients for the development of a home-based PCR protocol for diagnostic use.: Collection of series of biological samples from patients with echinococcosis for the development and optimisation of a home-made PCR protocol for diagnostic use; this will serve as a resource for research, becoming an important tool for the study of this zoonosis in conjunction with the clinical, microbiological and family history data of the affected individual.

Study summary

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus species. Diagnosis currently relies on imaging, serology and microscopy, but microscopy is time-consuming, has limited sensitivity and cannot distinguish between Echinococcus species. Molecular methods such as PCR may therefore provide a faster, more sensitive and species-specific diagnostic approach, with both clinical and epidemiological value. This study aims to improve molecular diagnosis and knowledge of pulmonary echinococcosis.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use — Through study completion, expected to last 20 years
  Development of a homemade PCR protocol for diagnostic use, aimed at detecting genetic material of parasitic origin in lesions or biopsy specimens caused by Echinococcus spp.

Trial sites (1)

More Azienda Ospedaliera SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria trials in Italy