Analytical Services - Protozoan Testing

SMI is committed to research in support of the development of improved methods for detecting waterborne pathogens such as Cryptosporidium.  SMI is the only EPA-approved laboratory that offers utilities the choice of either Continuous Flow Centrifugation or Envirochek capsule filtration to address their monitoring needs.  If you have questions concerning water monitoring for Cryptosporidium and Giardia or if you need information on the detection of emerging waterborne pathogens please contact our project management team at (574)-277-4078.

Cryptosporidium & Giardia

These parasitic protozoans can be concentrated from water and wastewater by continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) or by filtration using Envirochek filter capsules. Immunomagnetic beads capture protozoa from sample concentrates, permitting the removal of interfering debris from the sample. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts are dissociated from the immunomagnetic beads and are then labeled to fluorescent antibodies to facilitate microscopic visualization and enumeration.

 

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM – Epifluorescence
This is an image of Cryptosporidium under Epifluorescence technique used to confirm the presence of Cryptosporidium in water.  Oocysts appear as round or ovoid particles with distinctive apple green fluorescence. 

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM – DAPI
This is an image of Cryptosporidium labeled epifluorescence with DAPI under UV optics.  DAPI is a nuclear stain that makes it possible to visualize Cryptosporidium DNA in the form of oocyst nuclei.  This technique is used as a confirmatory procedure under EPA Method 1623 for the detection of Cryptosporidium in water.

 

To learn more about our microscopy facilities visit the microscopy laboratory.