Parasitology

The Laboratory of Parasitology offers diagnostic services for most parasites of human clinical and epidemiological significance, including specialized analyses for various customers.

Updated 3 January 2025

We apply both standard and advanced methods in our services, and we collaborate with both doctors, scientists and industrial partners.

Application of DNA based technology plays a central role in both our diagnostic services and research. We have a broad research focus on selected parasites and their role in health and disease.

Ordering

Please enclose a completed Sample Submission Form (Human Diagnostic Analyses) with the sample.

PCR stool

Organisms	Test principle	Result	Patient material	Test code	Price Euro 2025
Entamoeba histolytica + Entamoeba dispar	Duplex Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative + species identification	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%), cyst aspirate	075	210
Cryptosporidium spp. + Giardia duodenalis / intestinalis / lamblia	Duplex Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	077	182
Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis / intestinalis / lamblia, Dientamoeba fragilis	Combination of duplex and singleplex Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	070	270
Blastocystis	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	1045	233
Blastocystis sp. subtype	Barcoding (conventional PCR and sequencing)	Qualitative + subtype identification	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	1048	242
Blastocystis	Culture (detects only viable Blastocystis)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh)	097	83
Microbiom 16S/18S (bacteria, fungi, parasites)	DNA detection and sequencing	Report of pathogenic organisms present	Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, body fluids or biopsy	1008	76
Microsporidia: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon spp.	Duplex Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative + genus/species identification	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	707	279
Trichuris trichiura	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	1004	220
Ascaris	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%)	1005	230
Taenia	Conventional PCR + sequencing	Qualitative + species	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%), proglottids, Worm, biopsy	045	246
Schistosoma	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol 70%), EDTA blood, intestinal / rectal / bladder biopsy	1001	222

PCR (non-stool)

Organisms	Test principle	Result	Patient material	Test code	Price Euro 2025
Acanthamoeba	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative	CSF, corneal scraping	098	201
Babesia	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative	EDTA blood	1046	174
Microbiom 16S/18S (bacteria, fungi, parasites)	DNA detection and sequencing	Report of pathogenic organisms present	Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, body fluids or biopsy	1008	76
Plasmodium	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative + species identification	EDTA blood	1002	237
Leishmania	Real-time PCR; conventional PCR + sequencing	Qualitative + species identification	EDTA blood, bone marrow	043	267
Trypanosoma cruzi	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative	EDTA blood, biopsy	1033	228
Trypanosoma brucei	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative	EDTA blood	1032	212
1Free-living amoeba (Naegleria, Acanthamoeba, Balamuthia)	Multiplex real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative (genus name given)	CSF	099	245
Schistosoma	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative	Urine, EDTA blood, intestinal / rectal / bladder biopsy	1001	222
Taenia	Conventional PCR + sequencing	Qualitative + species identification	Proglottids, worm, biopsy	045	246
Echinococcus	Conventional PCR + sequencing	Qualitative + species identification	Biopsy, cyst aspirate, spinal fluid, pleura exudate	1006	201
Entamoeba histolytica + Entamoeba dispar	Duplex Real-time PCR (genomic DNA from stool)	Qualitative + species identification	Biopsy, cyst aspirate; spinal fluid, pleura exudate	075	210
Toxoplasma gondii	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative	EDTA blood, amniotic fluid, CSF, aqueous humor, lymph node, etc.	083	224
Trichomonas vaginalis	Real-time PCR (genomic DNA)	Qualitative	eSwab transport medium with collection swab	674	113
Pneumocystis jirovecii	Conventional PCR	Qualitative	BAL, mouth wash	082	168

Microscopy (stool, airway samples)

Organisms	Test principle	Result	Patient material	Test code	Price Euro 2025
STOOL
(Oo)cysts, larvae and eggs	Formal ethyl acetate concentration technique	Species/genus identification of parasite(s) detected	Stool (fresh, frozen, ethanol (70%), formalin)	071	157
Pinworm	Scotch tape analysis	Qualitative	Transparent, adhesive (Scotch) tape applied on the anal area	072	27
AIRWAY SAMPLES
Pneumocystis jirovecii	Specific staining by mono-clonal antibodies visualised by fluorescense microscopy	Qualitative	BAL, lung biopsy, brush biopsy	080	126
Helminths (eggs of Paragonimus; larvae of migrating nematodes)	Isolation of parasites followed by microscopy	Qualitative	Expectorate	088	112

Serology

Organisms	Test principle	Result	Patient material	Test code	Price Euro 2025
Plasmodium (IgG, IgM)	IFAT	Titer value	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	388	150
Strongyloides (IgG)	ELISA	Titer value	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	379	110
Schistosoma	IFAT	Titer value	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	389	113
Toxocara	ELISA + WB	Titer value	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	-	-
Toxoplasma - extended analysis (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgG avidity)	ELISA, ISAGA, VIDAS	IgG: Pos/Neg (IU/mL), IgM: Arbitrary units, IgA: Pos/Neg (IU/mL), Avidity: High/Low	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL	380	458
Toxoplasma - congenital toxoplasmosis	Immunoblot	Interpretation of immunoblog by experienced microbiologist	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	300	201
Echinococcus (IgG)	ELISA	Positive/negative	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	330	328
Entamoeba histolytica	ELISA	Titer value	Blood without additive (5 mL), serum (2 mL)	386	246