Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in Environmental Soil and Vegetables.
10.3346/jkms.2014.29.10.1367
- Author:
Semie HONG
1
;
Kyungjin KIM
;
Sejoung YOON
;
Woo Yoon PARK
;
Seobo SIM
;
Jae Ran YU
Author Information
1. Department of Radiation Oncology & Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Cryptosporidium parvum;
Soil;
Vegetables
- MeSH:
Base Sequence;
Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology;
Cryptosporidium parvum/*genetics/*isolation & purification;
DNA, Protozoan/analysis/genetics;
Enteritis/parasitology;
Foodborne Diseases/*parasitology;
Humans;
Sequence Alignment;
Sequence Analysis, DNA;
Soil/*parasitology;
Vegetables/*parasitology
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2014;29(10):1367-1371
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidial enteritis. Numerous outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been reported worldwide. Cryptosporidium is transmitted to hosts via consumption of contaminated water and food but also by direct contact with contaminated soil or infected hosts. The present study investigated farm soil collected from 34 locations along the western Korean peninsula and 24 vegetables purchased from local grocery markets in Seoul. The soil and vegetable samples were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to estimate the risk of infection. Eleven of 34 locations (32.4%) and 3 of 24 vegetable samples (12.5%) were contaminated with Cryptosporidium parvum, as confirmed by TaqI enzyme digestion of qPCR products and DNA sequencing. It is suggested that Cryptosporidium infection can be mediated via farm soil and vegetables. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce contamination of this organism in view of public health.
