New Giardia and Crypto Reagents
The Native Antigen Company now offers an expanded range of native antigens and antibodies for Giardia and Cryptosporidium parasites.
Background
Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum (Crypto) are protozoal cyst-forming parasites that cause gastrointestinal infections in humans and animals. Giardia exists in two forms: as a dormant cyst that infects the small intestine and as a trophozoite that excysts from the cyst. Trophozoites replicate within the intestine causing the symptoms associated with giardiasis but trophozoites do not survive for long periods in the environment. Giardia cysts are found in soil and water, and on surfaces contaminated by faeces from an infected individual. A range of molecular, microscopy and immunofluorescent techniques are currently used to detect Giardia.
Crypto has three developmental stages: meronts, gamonts and oocysts. Unlike Giardia, Crypto oocysts are highly resistant to environmental factors, allowing them to survive many disinfection procedures that make them notorious contaminants of water systems. Currently, a number of techniques are used to detect the presence of Crypto, including acid-fast staining and antigen tests using labelled antibodies.
Giardia and Crypto Cysts
The Native Antigen Company now offers native Giardia and Crypto cysts, isolated from animals presenting with acute infection. Purified by density gradient centrifugation and heat-inactivated, these reagents are safe to use as a source of native antigens, as immunogens for antibody generation, and in immunoassay development.
Giardia and Crypto Antibodies
In addition to native antigens, we also offer a range of mouse monoclonals specific to Giardia cysts and trophozoites, as well as a mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal specific to Crypto cysts. These antibodies are suitable for a range of applications, including ELISA, IFA and Western blot.
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