Simultaneous Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora from Raw Vegetables in Korea

Abstract

<i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Cyclospora</i> are well-known coccidian protozoa that can cause waterborne and foodborne diarrheal illnesses. There have been a few reports regarding contamination in different vegetables with <i>Cryptosporidium</i>, but no data are available regarding the sources of <i>Cyclospora</i> infections in Korea. In the present study, we collected 6 kinds of vegetables (perilla leaves, winter-grown cabbages, chives, sprouts, blueberries, and cherry tomatoes) from July 2014 to June 2015, and investigated contamination by these 2 protozoa using multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. Among 404 vegetables, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Cyclospora</i> were detected in 31 (7.7%) and 5 (1.2%) samples, respectively. In addition, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was isolated from all 6 kinds of vegetables, whereas <i>Cyclospora</i> was detected in 4 kinds of vegetables (except perilla leaves and chives). <i>Cryptosporidium</i> (17.8%) and <i>Cyclospora</i> (2.9%) had the highest detection rates in chives and winter-grown cabbages, respectively. <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was detected all year long; however, <i>Cyclospora</i> was detected only from October to January. In 2 samples (sprout and blueberry), both <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Cyclospora</i> were detected. Further investigations using <i>Taq</i>I restriction enzyme fragmentation and nested PCR confirmed <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> and <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i>, respectively. In conclusion, we detected <i>C. cayetanensis</i> in vegetables for the first time in Korea. This suggests that screening should be employed to prevent these protozoal infections in Korea.