Quantum Dots as a Novel Immunofluorescent Detection System for <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> and <i>Giardia lamblia</i>

Abstract

Semiconductor quantum dot-conjugated antibodies were successfully developed to label Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. This novel fluorescence system exhibited superior photostability, gave 1.5- to 9-fold-higher signal-to-noise ratios than traditional organic dyes in detecting C. parvum, and allowed dual-color detection for C. parvum and G. lamblia.