Cell-Free DNA as a Diagnostic Tool for Human Parasitic Infections

Parasites often cause devastating diseases and represent a significant public health and economic burden. More accurate and convenient diagnostic tools are needed in support of parasite control programmes in endemic regions, and for rapid point-of-care diagnosis in nonendemic areas. The detection of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a relatively new concept that is being applied in the current armamentarium of diagnostics. Here, we review the application of cfDNA detection with nucleic acid amplification tests for the diagnosis and evaluation of different human parasitic infections and highlight the significant benefits of the approach using non-invasive clinical samples.

TrendsParasitic infections are responsible for a significant disease burden worldwide, and there is the ever-present risk of their emerging in nonendemic, naïve settings, with the recent increase in international travel and global immigration.Development of more subject-friendly, convenient, and accurate diagnostic tools is much needed in support of parasite control and elimination programmes in endemic regions as well as for rapid case detection in nonendemic areas.Recent application of cfDNA detection using non-invasive clinical samples, such as urine and saliva, offers significant benefits for the accurate diagnosis of several parasitic infections, particularly parasites resident in tissues and the circulatory system, such as Plasmodium, Schistosoma, Trypanosoma, Wuchereria, and Leishmania spp.Although the use of cfDNA detection in the field of medical parasitology is relatively less advanced than the recent, rapid progression in other medical fields, the approach could have an important role in the future diagnosis and control of parasitic infections globally.