title: Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts on fresh vegetables and 1 herbs using antibodies specific for a Cryptosporidium parvum viral antigen.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if the viral symbiont of Cryptosporidium parvum (CPV) sporozoites could be used as a target for sensitive detection of the parasite in food samples. Polyclonal sera specific to the recombinant viral capsid protein (rCPV40) was used in a dot blot hybridization assay to detect oocysts recovered from green onions and cilantro. Small batches of chopped green onions and cilantro leaves were artificially contaminated with three different concentrations of oocysts: 10(6), 10(2), and 10(1). rCPV40 was superior in detecting oocysts compared with other antibodies directed toward total oocyst protein and oocyst surface antigens. This study provides evidence that CPV is an excellent target for sensitive detection of C. parvum oocysts in foods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA. kniel@udel.edu
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kniel
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D028526:Coriandrum / Q000469:parasitology*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000821:virology*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D016266:Food Parasitology; D019697:Onions / Q000469:parasitology*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000821:virology; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins