from George D. Di Giovanni, Gregory D. Sturbaum, and Huw V. Smith writing in Real-Time PCR in Food Science: Current Technology and Applications:
Many parasites are capable of infecting humans, with zoonotic and environmental transmission pathways having significant roles. Of particular significance are pathways involving contaminated food and water. Despite increasing risks posed by food and waterborne parasites due to global sourcing of food, cosmopolitan eating habits, and increased international travel; detection and epidemiologic methods for many of these parasites remains underdeveloped. Microscopy-based detection and diagnostic techniques are still revered as the gold standard for the detection of many food and waterborne parasites. However, the advent and employment of molecular methodologies has proven to surpass microscopy in three major aspects: sensitivity, specificity and the ability to speciate. While molecular methodologies have clear advantages over many traditional detection techniques, standardized PCR methods for the detection of food and waterborne parasites are lacking. This is largely due to multiple obstacles, such as: the diversity of test matrices (e.g. fruits, vegetables, meat products, shellfish, and water); different approaches needed for recovery, concentration, and DNA extraction for different parasites; intrinsically low levels of parasites present in samples; and a lack of multi-laboratory validation of promising methods. Although the PCR detection of food and waterborne parasites may be complex and challenging, recent advances in sample processing techniques and the development of real-time PCR assays are bringing the goal of standardized methodology within view. This review covers an overview of some important food and waterborne parasites, a description of conventional detection methodology, and advances in sample processing and real-time PCR assays. Research needs are discussed along with the benefits of real-time PCR detection and typing.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR in Food Science: Current Technology and Applications