Objective: To develop a quantitative PCR method for detecting hookworm infection and quantification. Methods:A real-time PCR method was designed based on the intergenic region II of ribosomal DNA of the hookworm Necator americanus. The detection limit of this method was compared with the microscopy-based Kato-Katz method. The real-time PCR method was used to conduct an epidemiological survey of hookworm infection in southern Fujian Province of China. Results:The real-time PCR method was specific for detecting Necator americanus infection, and was more sensitive than conventional PCR or microscopy-based method. A preliminary survey for hookworm infection in villages of Fujian Province confirmed the high prevalence of hookworm infections in the resident populations. In addition, the infection rate in women was significantly higher than that of in men. Conclusions: A real-time PCR method is designed, which has increased detection sensitivity for more accurate epidemiological studies of hookworm infections, especially when intensity of the infection needs to be considered.

Objective To observe platelet dynamics in a monkey infected with Plasmodium cynomolgi before and after treatments with antibiotics and antimalarial drug. Methods One experimental monkey was examined for parasite density and platelet count 2 days after parasite inoculation. Observation without treatment continued for 24 days after the parasite was detected in the blood sample of the monkey. Then the monkey was treated with Azithromycin (total 1500 mg) for 3 days. Thirty days after parasite detection in the blood, the monkey was treated with Artesunate for 5 days. Parasite density and platelet count were monitored daily during treatments. The result was compared with that from a healthy monkey as control. Results The experimental monkey's platelet count was 240× 109/L before infection. When parasite density was 2/100 white blood cells (WBC),platelet count increased to 540 × 109/L. During the subsequent period of infection, parasite density fluctuated at (1-60)/100 WBC, and the platelet count reduced to a persistent level of (130-150)×109/L. After the infected monkey was treated with Azithromycin, parasite density reduced initially but subsequently fluctuated at (16-64)/100 WBC. Meanwhile, platelet count was restored to 234.5 × 109/L.The infected monkey was treated with Artesunate and parasite clearance time was 64 hours, and the mean platelet count was 247 × 109/L after treatment. Conclusion Azithromycin and Artesunate treatment have direct influence on the recovery of platelet counts during malaria infection in monkeys.