DNA Aptamers for the Recovery and Identification Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in Liquid Municipal Wastes

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Cryptosporidium parvum is an intestinal protozoan parasite that can cause severe diarrhea in humans and many**animals, release large numbers of oocysts (eggs) in the feces of those infected which then can contaminate soil,**liquid and solid wastes. Cryptosporidium has caused many outbreaks of gastroenteritis. In many cases**wastewater effluent is discharged into source waters used for drinking water, recreation and agriculture. Due to**the human health risk, it has been recommended by Health Canada to routinely monitor drinking water treatment**plant source waters for oocyst concentrations. However, routine methods for concentration and detection of the**oocysts with immunofluorescence microscopy have low or variable recovery rates, are time consuming and**require highly skilled lab personnel. This research will help in the development of a sensitive aptamer-based**electrochemical biosensor method which can detect and quantify C. parvum in samples of liquid municipal wastes**and can help to mitigate pathogen discharges into the water environment.