Diagnosis of Cystic Echinococcosis by Identifying Repeat Elements of Cell-Free DNA

Harriett Engelke

Mentor: Alan Scott, Ph.D., MD.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a disease caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus and is prevalent in regions of South America. Diagnosis of CE is difficult and involves equipment that is not available in endemic areas. A new diagnosis method that is cost-effective and accurate is needed in order to detect the parasite in early stages of the infection when it is easiest to treat. Dr. Alan Scott and other researchers have been studying urine samples from CE patients that contain E. granulosus-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA). His data is being used to determine the viability of using cfDNA in the diagnosis of parasite infection. This study analyzes data from different sources in order to identify repeat elements of cfDNA that can be found in patient urine samples.. The results of this study would allow researchers to increase the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis method. Further research is needed to determine the viability of this diagnosis method in endemic regions.