A comparison of two approaches to extracting Cryptosporidium DNA from human stools as measured by a real-time PCR assay

J Microbiol Methods. 2012 Apr;89(1):38-40. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2012.02.006. Epub 2012 Feb 16.

Abstract

Direct extraction of Cryptosporidium DNA from 46 stools by bead-beating, guanidine thiocyanate and silica purification provided slightly lower PCR positivity (93.5% vs. 100%) and higher threshold cycle values (mean 34.93 vs. 28.03; P=0.00) than spin-column extraction from boiled, semi-purified oocyst suspensions. However, direct extraction is cheaper, and amenable to automation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
  • Cryptosporidium / genetics
  • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification*
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Parasitology / methods*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan