Detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA using polymerase chain reaction from serum and dried blood spot card samples of an adult population in North-western Tanzania

Infect Dis Poverty (2021) 10:15. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive and specific method for diagnosing schistoso- miasis. However, this method should be performed in a laboratory, usually located distant from the sample collection site. Therefore, it is important to have fast sampling preservation methods, which allow simple transport prior to DNA extraction and amplification. The aim of this study was to verify if blood samples applied to filter paper are suitable for analysis of Schistosoma mansoni DNA by real-time PCR.