This review deals with possible advantages and disadvantages connected with applying molecular biology techniques in parasitology. It particularly concerns molecular diagnosis and epidemiology, as well as phylogenesis and taxonomy of selected parasite species.
Human babesiosis is caused predominantly by B. microti and B. divergens, a protozooan parasites of red blood cells. Both are transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks, also the primary vector of Lyme disease. Clinical manifestation varied widety from asymptomatic infection to a serve rapidly fatal disease. The diagnosis of babesiosis include examination of stained blood smers, serological evaluation indirect antibody tests and PCR. With the evolution PCR - based techniques, the diagnosis and monitoring of babesial infections became more sensitive and reliable.
Diagnostics of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is one of recently emerging tick-borne diseases. The paper summarizes current opinions on diagnostics of this zoonosis, including the recent recommendations of ESCAR (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group on Coxiella, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Bartonella).