Cryptosporidosis--A Bioluminescent Cryptosporidium Assay

There has been a recent concern raised regarding the contamination of water supplies by CryptosporiThis was sparked by the outbreak that occurred in Milwaukee. While contamination by any microbial agCryptosporidium has received much attention, in part, because it is a problem for immunocompromisedthose with AIDS. Current methods of diagnosing cryptosporidiosis in humans is based on the detectionMore recently immunofluorescent test have provided increased sensitivity, but it is dependent on traexpensive equipment i.e., fluorescent microscope. The development of a simple, economical highly senimmunoassay for the detection and quantification of Cryptosporidium oocysts in both clinical and envthe subject of this proposal. This is to be accomplished using monoclonal antibodies specific for thproprietary bioluminescent detection system. The bioluminescent label is based on Aqualite technologphotoprotein which when conjugated with antibodies results in highly sensitive bioluminescent detectbeen successfully applied to a number of clinical assays.