Simultaneous Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora from Raw Vegetables in Korea

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 137 - 142
• Main Authors: Sim, Seobo, Won, Jua, Kim, Jae-Whan, Kim, Kyungjin, Park, Woo-Yoon, Yu, Jae-Ran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한기생충학열대의학회 01.04.2017; The Korean Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
• Subjects: Cryptosporidiosis - prevention & control; Cryptosporidium parvum - isolation & purification; Cyclospora - isolation & purification; Cyclosporiasis - prevention & control; Food Contamination - prevention & control; Humans; Original; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Republic of Korea; Seasons; Vegetables - parasitology; Cyclospora cayetanensis; real-time PCR; Cryptosporidium parvum; vegetable; Korea
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006
• DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.2.137

and are well-known coccidian protozoa that can cause waterborne and foodborne diarrheal illnesses. There have been a few reports regarding contamination in different vegetables with , but no data are available regarding the sources of infections in Korea. In the present study, we collected 6 kinds of vegetables (perilla leaves, winter-grown cabbages, chives, sprouts, blueberries, and cherry tomatoes) from July 2014 to June 2015, and investigated contamination by these 2 protozoa using multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. Among 404 vegetables, and were detected in 31 (7.7%) and 5 (1.2%) samples, respectively. In addition, was isolated from all 6 kinds of vegetables, whereas was detected in 4 kinds of vegetables (except perilla leaves and chives). (17.8%) and (2.9%) had the highest detection rates in chives and winter-grown cabbages, respectively. was detected all year long; however, was detected only from October to January. In 2 samples (sprout and blueberry), both and were detected. Further investigations using I restriction enzyme fragmentation and nested PCR confirmed and , respectively. In conclusion, we detected in vegetables for the first time in Korea. This suggests that screening should be employed to prevent these protozoal infections in Korea.