A LITERATUR STUDY: COMPARISON OF FECAL AND PCR EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE IN DETECTING ASCARIASIS DISEASE

Abstrak

Ascariasis is a common worm infection worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation. The method used is a literature study that aims to compare the perforomance of fecal examination and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in detecting Ascariasis disease. Fecal examinations, including the direct slide and Kato-Katz methods, have long been used, but have limitations in sensitivity, especially in mild infections. The results of the study showed that PCR methods, including multiplex PCR and digital PCR (dPCR), provided superior results compared to conventional fecal examination in detecting Ascariasis. It was found that KatoKatz sensitivity was relative to PCR, the Kato-Katz method was sensitive 53.8% for A. Lumbricoides, and PCR was 87.5% for A. Lumbricoides. Although fecal examination remains the primary method due to its lower cost and ease of implementation, PCR offers a more accurate and effective diagnostic alternative, especially in identifying low-intensity infections and for the detection of multiple species of worms