Comparison of nested-polymerase chain reaction and loop-mediated isothermal amplification in detection of Cryptosporidium spp and Giardia duodenalis from water sources in Phayao Province, Thailand

K Tantiamornkul, T Mataradchakul

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp and Giardia duodenalis are common intestinal pro-tozoa, causes of water-borne outbreaks of gastroenteritis throughout the world. Nested-PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays were used to detect Cryptosporidium spp and G. duodenalis cysts in 170 water samples from four dams and two lakes in Phayao Province, Thailand during May to July, 2017. LAMP was superior to nested-PCR in detecting both cyst species: 36% compared to 22% for Cryptosporidium spp and 12% compared to 21% for G. duo-denalis. Kwan Phayao and Nong Leng Sai Lakes had the highest prevalence: 60% and >30% for Cryptosporidium spp and G. duodenalis, respectively. Thus, LAMP provided a sensitive and convenient assay for surveillance of these zoonotic pathogenic protozoa, which were highly prevalent in lakes in Phayao Province. These results provide information useful for development of appropriate public health measures to control and eliminate diarrheal diseases caused by Cryptospo-ridium spp and G. duodenalis in Phayao Province and other regions of Thailand with high risk of infection.