A novel multiplex PCR coupled with Luminex assay for the simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium spp., Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis are the most frequently identified enteric parasites associated with diarrhea-causing disease outbreaks, and many non-parvum species of Cryptosporidium also can replicate and cause illness in mammals including humans. In this study, we describe a novel multiplex PCR coupled with Luminex assay for the identification of Cryptosporidium spp., C. parvum and G. duodenalis in a rapid manner. The multiplex PCR for the simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia was developed using three pairs of biotinylated primers which amplify 424, 223 and 267 bp products from the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1 snr) gene, 18S rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium and the beta-giardin gene of Giardia, respectively. The genus and species-specific capture probes linked to carboxylated Luminex microspheres hybridized to the multiplex PCR amplicons to enhance sensitivity and specificity. The conditions of multiplex PCR and Luminex hybridization reaction were optimized to enable the minimum detection limits of 5 × 10 −6, 5 × 10 −6, and 5 × 10 −6 ng DNAs (corresponding approximately to 0.1 oocyst/cyst). The Luminex approach proved to be 100% specific and accurate by testing a total of 240 fecal samples compared with microscopic examination of fecal smears and further modified acid-fast staining or iodine-staining observation. The established assay offers the potential for rapid detection of Cryptosporidium spp., C. parvum and G. duodenalis in fecal and environmental samples.