Highly sensitive and specific PCR assay for reliable detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts.

ABSTRACT: Multiple outbreaks of food-borne gastroenteritis caused by the coccidian parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis have been reported annually in North America since 1995. Detection of C. cayetanensis contamination typically relies on laborious and subjective microscopic examination of produce washes. Molecular detection methods based on nested PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism, or multiplex PCR have been developed for C. cayetanensis; however, they have not been adequately validated for use on food products. Further challenges include reliably extracting DNA from coccidian oocysts since their tough outer wall is resistant to lysis and overcoming PCR inhibitors in sample matrices. We describe preliminary validation of a reliable DNA extraction method for C. cayetanensis oocysts and a se

SUBMITTER: Lalonde LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2493149 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature