Cryptosporidium Diagnostic Assays: Molecular Detection

Molecular diagnostic assays for Cryptosporidium are usually based on PCR and may detect the entire genus or target specified species. Of the ~40 species, fewer than half have been reported from humans, and most human cases of cryptosporidiosis are caused by Cryptosporidium parvum or Cryptosporidium hominis. Here we describe a nested PCR for the detection of all Cryptosporidium spp. that can then be differentiated by sequencing the PCR amplicons, and a duplex, real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of C. parvum and C. hominis.