General Notes
Mouse anti Cryptosporidium antibody, clone BEL 0126 recognizes a membrane antigen expressed by the oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp., an obligate enteric coccidian parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa that infects the gastrointestinal tract. The parasite is one of the most important enteric pathogens in both humans and animals (Rose et al. 2002). Since its first diagnosis in 1975 (Meisel et al. 1976), Cryptosporidiosis, has become one of the most prominent public health concerns worldwide (Rose et al. 2002).Cryptosporidium oocysts are resistant to chlorine and their small size makes removal by filtration difficult. Alternative methods have been developed such as UV and ozone treatment alongside monitoring using Immunofluorescence screening (Rose et al. 2002). Cryptosporidiosis is a disease affecting the intestines of mammals which is spread through the fecal-oral route. The main symptom of is self-limiting diarrhea in people with intact immune systems. However, in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, infection can cause permanent & life-threatening diarrhea (Ma et al. 1984).
