Soil-transmitted helminth infections remain a major public health burden in low- and middle-income countries.
The traditional diagnosis by microscopic examination of fecal samples is insensitive and time-consuming. In this study,
a pentaplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated for the simultaneous detection of Ancylostoma ,
Necator americanus , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Strongyloides stercoralis . The results were compared with those obtained
by conventional parasitological diagnostic methods. Real-time PCR was positive in 48 of 77 samples (62.3%) and microscopic
examination was positive in six samples (7.8%) only ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, the real-time PCR assay described
in this study provides a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of these four helminth species in epidemiological
studies and monitoring of treatment programs.