Microscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of intestinal parasitic diseases in many countries, including Cuba, although molecular approaches often have higher sensitivity as well as other advantages.

Fecal samples from 133 patients were analyzed by light microscopy and also real-time multiplex qPCR targeting Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Entamoeba histolytica, and, separately, Dientamoeba fragilis. Microscopy revealed G. duodenalis occurred most commonly (17 patients), followed by Blastocystis spp. (12 patients). In a few patients, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, Cryptosporidium spp., and Cyclospora cayetanensis were identified.

Molecular analysis identified 4 more G. duodenalis infections and 2 more Cryptosporidium spp. infections; concordance between microscopy and PCR showed almost perfect agreement for G. duodenalis (κ = 0.88) and substantial agreement for Cryptosporidium (κ = 0.74). PCR indicated that E. dispar, rather than E. histolytica, had been identified by microscopy. Additionally, 16 D. fragilis infections were detected using molecular methods.

Although both microscopy and molecular techniques have a place in parasitology diagnostics, for parasites such as D. fragilis, where microscopy can underestimate occurrence, molecular techniques may be preferable, and also essential for distinguishing between morphologically similar microorganisms such as E. histolytica and E. dispar. Although in resource-constrained countries such as Cuba, microscopy is extremely important as a diagnostic tool for intestinal parasites, inclusion of molecular techniques could be invaluable for selected protozoa.

在许多国家，包括古巴，显微术是诊断肠道寄生虫病的金标准，尽管分子方法通常具有更高的灵敏度和其他优势。

通过光学显微镜和实时多重qPCR分析了133名患者的粪便样本，这些实时荧光定量PCR分别针对十二生虫（Giardia duodenalis），隐孢子虫（Cryptosporidium spp。）和组织变形杆菌（Entamoeba histolytica），以及脆弱的Dientamoeba。显微镜检查显示十二指肠球菌最常见（17例），其次是Blastocystis spp。（12例）。在一些患者中，溶组织性变形杆菌/ E。确定了dispar，隐孢子虫属（Cryptosporidium spp。）和Cyclospora cayetanensis。

分子分析确定了另外4个十二指肠球菌感染和2个隐孢子虫属。感染；显微镜和PCR的一致性显示十二指肠菌（κ= 0.88）和隐孢子虫（κ= 0.74）几乎完全一致。PCR表明已经通过显微镜鉴定了Dispar，而不是组织溶性大肠杆菌。此外，使用分子方法检测到16例脆弱的D.感染。

尽管显微镜和分子技术在寄生虫学诊断中均占有一席之地，但对于脆弱的D.fragilis等寄生虫来说，显微镜可能会低估发生率，但分子技术可能是更可取的，并且对于区分形态相似的微生物（如组织溶杆菌和大肠杆菌）也是必不可少的。毒蛾。尽管在古巴这样的资源匮乏的国家，显微镜检查作为诊断肠道寄生虫的工具极为重要，但是分子技术的引入对于某些原生动物可能是无价的。