Simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia in sewage sludge by IC-PCR.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a method based on immunomagnetic capture and polymerase chain reaction (IC-PCR assay) for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia intestinalis in sewage sludge.


RESULTS
The detection limit of the IC-PCR assay for both organisms was 625 oocysts and cysts ml(-1). By hybridization of PCR products the sensitivity could be increased to 125 oocysts and cysts ml(-1). Forty-four sludge samples from 12 wastewater treatment plants were examined. The samples positive for Giardia (9 out of 44) were from eight wastewater plants and the C. parvum genotype 2 samples (3 out of 44) originated from different sewage works.


CONCLUSIONS
IC-PCR offers the possibility to distinguish between Cryptosporidium and Giardia genotypes. This assay can be used to monitor the presence of these organisms in a community and to determine contamination of sludge used as soil amendment.
Rimhanen-Finne
R
R
Department of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Ronkainen
P
P
Hänninen
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005838:Genotype; D005872:Giardia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018189:Immunomagnetic Separation / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012722:Sewage / Q000469:parasitology*
D012722:Sewage