title: Modification of a rapid method for the identification of gene-specific polymorphisms in Cryptosporidium parvum and its application to clinical and epidemiological investigations.
abstract: The application of genotyping to clinical isolates of Cryptosporidium has increased significantly our knowledge and understanding of the distribution and epidemiology of this parasite. However, some methods can be laborious and demand specialist technical expertise. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques represent a more rapid and simple method of genotyping to support epidemiological and clinical investigations than conventional DNA analytical techniques. We describe a nested PCR-RFLP technique that identifies polymorphisms in the C. parvum thrombospondin-related adhesive protein gene locus; this method offers a sensitive and specific tool for the confirmation and investigation of disease associated with C. parvum. The potential of this enhanced method is demonstrated by its application to the confirmation and epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with a school visit to an open farm.
authors.affiliation: PHLS Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Swansea Public Health Laboratory, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, United Kingdom. kristin.elwin@phls.wales.nhs.uk
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elwin
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Casemore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012756:Sheep; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C069428:thrombospondin-related adhesive protein, protozoan