Long-Term Preservation and Storage of Faecal Samples in Whatman® Cards for PCR Detection and Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium hominis.

Preservation and conservation of biological specimens, including faecal samples, is a challenge in remote areas or poor-resource settings where the cold chain cannot be maintained. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of filter cards for long-term storage of faecal samples of animal and hum...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Köster, Pamela Carolina|||/items/30428371-975a-467b-8b58-4001ee35656e, Bailo, Begoña, Dashti, Alejandro, Hernández-Castro, Alejandro, Calero-Bernal, Rafael, Ponce-Gordo, Francisco, González-Barrio, David, Carmena, David
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio
Repositorio:Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:archive.uax.com:20.500.12080/55985
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12080/55985
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cryptosporidium hominis
Giardia duodenalis
PCR
Heces
Tarjeta filtrante
Conservación
Almacenamiento
Transporte
Descripción
Sumario:Preservation and conservation of biological specimens, including faecal samples, is a challenge in remote areas or poor-resource settings where the cold chain cannot be maintained. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of filter cards for long-term storage of faecal samples of animal and human origin positive to the diarrhoea-causing protozoan parasites, Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium hominis. Three commercially available Whatman® Filter Cards were comparatively assessed: the FTA® Classic Card, the FTA® Elute Micro Card, and the 903 Protein Saver Card. Human faecal samples positive to G. duodenalis (n = 5) and C. hominis (n = 5) were used to impregnate the selected cards at given storage (1 month, 3 months, and 6 months) periods and temperature (-20 °C, 4 °C, and room temperature) conditions. Parasite DNA was detected by PCR-based methods. Sensitivity assays and quality control procedures to assess suitability for genotyping purposes were conducted. Overall, all three Whatman® cards were proven useful for the detection and molecular characterisation of G. duodenalis and C. hominis under the evaluated conditions. Whatman® cards represent a simple, safe, and cost-effective option for the transportation, preservation, and storage of faecal samples without the need of the cold chain.