title: Method detection limits of PCR and immunofluorescence assay for Cryptosporidium parvum in soil.
abstract: We determined and compared the method detection limits (MDLalpha) of a PCR and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in soils. Based on the MDLalpha and the quantitative nature and stability of the IFA, PCR analysis is not a useful screening step for soil studies of oocyst transport.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Resource Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA. mwalker@equinox.unr.edu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montemagno
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ghiorse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012987:Soil