Laboratory of Parasitic Zoonoses

This laboratory of parasitic zoonoses provides scientific and technical support in the research of surveillance, epidemiological and molecular characterization, and control strategies in parasitic zoonoses produced by enteropathogenic protozoa of public health importance, with an important specialization in Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

The diagnosis is carried out by concentration and microscopy techniques, and at molecular level, PCR techniques are used for genotypic and subgenotypic characterization in clinical and environmental samples such as water. Likewise, these techniques are used as a reference in the development of kit evaluations and diagnostic methods for Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica.

It also plays an important role in the evaluation of effective treatment methods for the retention and inactivation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in drinking water, wastewater and sludge. The methodology involves the identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts by filtration, immunomagnetic separation and immunofluorescence microscopy analysis. Concentration and viability studies are carried out by staining with vital dyes and viability PCR with photoreactive dyes.

The following equipment is available:

Streamline Class II Microbiological Safety Cabinet Streamline Class II Biological Safety Cabinet. ESCO

• Thermocyclers
• Transilluminators
• Microscopy

Other standard laboratory equipment