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Title: Application of RT-PCR to study in vitro development of Cryptosporidium parvum and its viral symbiont CPV

Author
item Jenkins, Mark
item Obrien, Celia
item Rosenthal, Benjamin
item Fayer, Ronald

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2008
Publication Date: 6/20/2008
Citation: Jenkins, M.C., Obrien, C.N., Rosenthal, B.M., Fayer, R. 2008. Application of RT-PCR to study in vitro development of Cryptosporidium parvum and its viral symbiont CPV. Annual Meeting of American Society of Parsitologists, Arlington, Texas June 26-30, 2008.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis contain a double-stranded RNA viral symbiont termed CPV. Our research seeks to find a role for CPV in the pathogenicity and development of C. parvum. Cell cultures were infected with C. parvum sporozoites, and extracted at various times post-infection for DNA and RNA. RT-PCR was performed using primers directed to the 18S rRNA or the CPV RNA and by either traditional amplification or using real-time RT-PCR analysis. Semiquantitative PCR was conducted to relate CPV signal to numbers of intracellular C. parvum stages. Preliminary analysis indicates that CPV development is linked to C. parvum development, possibly to ensure incorporation into developing stages. Studies are underway to compare CPV development between gamma-irradiated and non-irradiated C. parvum sporozoites.