MegaELISA® CRYPTO is an enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in the feces of pocket pets, pets and farm animals.

Cryptosporidia are globally spread protozoan zoonosis pathogens, which parasitize in the small intestine of pocket pets, pets and farm animals as well as of humans. Cryptosporidia form two types of infectious oocysts: 20% are thin-walled and stay in the host, where they cause reinfection through autoinfection. The remaining 80% are thick-walled and are excreted intermittently, i.e. not with every defecation, as dormancy stages. These are very resistant and can remain infectious for months. They can infect animals as well as humans via drinking water. Asymptomatic animals can serve as chronic carriers.

Neonates and young animals are predominantly affected. Cryptosporidium parvum causes diarrhoea of different severity codes. Immunosuppression, lack of appetite, pyrexia and dehydration may occur, as well as death. Especially in calves, C. parvum, along with Rota and Corona viruses and E. coli (F5), causes one of the most frequent and loss-making diseases called neonatal diarrhoea (ND).

Numerous studies show the advantages of the enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Cryptosporidium parvum compared with conventional detection methods for Cryptosporidium like the microscopic proof of oocysts in the direct fecal smear or after enrichment by flotation or in the modified sedimentation (“MIFC method”) or even via intestine biopsy.

Based on its high sensitivity and specificity, the MegaELISA® CRYPTO perfectly fits as standard test for veterinary laboratories for the fast and standardised routine test of intact C. parvum and of C. parvum oocysts as well as of all vegetative C. parvum stages and their disintegration products.