Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in Environmental Soil and Vegetables

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 29; no. 10; pp. 1367 - 1371
• Main Authors: Hong, Semie, Kim, Kyungjin, Yoon, Sejoung, Park, Woo-Yoon, Sim, Seobo, Yu, Jae-Ran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.10.2014; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Cryptosporidiosis - parasitology; Cryptosporidium parvum - genetics; Cryptosporidium parvum - isolation & purification; DNA, Protozoan - analysis; DNA, Protozoan - genetics; Enteritis - parasitology; Foodborne Diseases - parasitology; Humans; Original; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Soil - parasitology; Vegetables - parasitology; 의학일반; Cryptosporidium parvum; Soil; Vegetables
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.10.1367

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.