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

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 hum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animals (Basel) 2021-05, Vol.11 (5), p.1369
Main Authors: Köster, Pamela Carolina, Bailo, Begoña, Dashti, Alejandro, Hernández-Castro, Carolina, Calero-Bernal, Rafael, Ponce-Gordo, Francisco, González-Barrio, David, Carmena, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological properties
Biological samples
Cold storage
Cotton
Cryopreservation
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium hominis
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Diarrhea
DNA
Environmental conditions
Environmental degradation
Epidemiology
faeces
filter card
Gene expression
Genotyping
Giardia duodenalis
High temperature
Laboratories
Parasites
Pathogens
Plastics
Polymerase chain reaction
preservation
Proteins
Protozoa
Quality assessment
Quality control
Room temperature
storage
transportation
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2076-2615
2076-2615
DOI:10.3390/ani11051369