Long-Term Preservation and Storage of Faecal Samples in Whatman® Cards for PCR Detection and Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium hominis

ABSTRACT: Preservation and conservation of biological specimens, including faecal samples, is a challenge in remote areas or poor-resource settings where the cold chain cannot be maintained. This study aims at evaluating the suitability of filter cards for long-term storage of faecal samples of animal and human origin positive to the diarrhoea-causing protozoan parasites, Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium hominis. Three commercially available Whatman® Filter Cards were comparatively assessed: the FTA® Classic Card, the FTA® Elute Micro Card, and the 903 Protein Saver Card. Human faecal samples positive to G. duodenalis (n = 5) and C. hominis (n = 5) were used to impregnate the selected cards at given storage (1 month, 3 months, and 6 months) periods and temperature (-20 °C, 4 °C, and room temperature) conditions. Parasite DNA was detected by PCR-based methods. Sensitivity assays and quality control procedures to assess suitability for genotyping purposes were conducted. Overall, all three Whatman® cards were proven useful for the detection and molecular characterisation of G. duodenalis and C. hominis under the evaluated conditions. Whatman® cards represent a simple, safe, and cost-effective option for the transportation, preservation, and storage of faecal samples without the need of the cold chain.

• Autores: Hernández Castro, Carolina; Carmena Jiménez, David; Köster, Pamela C.; Bailo, Begoña; Dashti, Alejandro; Calero Bernal, Rafael; Ponce Gordo, Francisco; González Barrio, David
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2021
• Institución: Universidad de Antioquia
• Repositorio: Repositorio UdeA
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co:10495/44160
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/10495/44160
• Palabra clave: Giardia lamblia; Cryptosporidium; Heces; Feces; Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Preservación Biológica; Preservation, Biological; Filter card; Whatman®; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D016829; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D003458; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D005243; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D016133; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D011309
• Rights: openAccess
• License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/co/