Method detection limits of PCR and immunofluorescence assay for Cryptosporidium parvum in soil

• Published in: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 64; no. 6; pp. 2281 - 2283
• Main Authors: Walker, M.J. (University of Nevada, Reno, NV.), Montemagno, C, Bryant, J.C, Ghiorse, W.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for Microbiology 01.06.1998
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM; Cryptosporidium parvum - genetics; Cryptosporidium parvum - isolation & purification; DNA, Protozoan - genetics; DNA, Protozoan - isolation & purification; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Antibody Technique - statistics & numerical data; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects and techniques; Methods; Microbiology; Parasitology - methods; PCR; POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Polymerase Chain Reaction - statistics & numerical data; Protozoa; Sampling techniques; SOIL; Soil - parasitology; Soils; SOL; SUELO; Polymerase chain reaction; Protozoa; Soils; Apicomplexa; Cryptosporidium parvum; Detection limit; Method; Detection; Immunofluorescence; Comparative study; Oocyst
• ISSN: 0099-2240; 1098-5336
• DOI: 10.1128/aem.64.6.2281-2283.1998

We determined and compared the method detection limits (MDL alpha) of a PCR and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in soils. Based on the MDL alpha and the quantitative nature and stability of the IFA, PCR analysis is not a useful screening step for soil studies of oocyst transport