POSITIVE CONTROL PRODUCTS FOR
CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTS AND GIARDIA CYSTS

Why test for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts?

Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia both belong to a group of micro-organisms known as protozoa and are pathogens linked to water and food borne illness causing diarrhoea. They are found in the intestinal tract of many animals including cattle and sheep and are transmitted by ingestion of oocysts (Cryptosporidium) or cysts (Giardia) excreted in the faeces of infected animals. It is now a legal requirement to treat water that is used for drinking so that the average number of Cryptosporidium oocysts per 10 litres is less than 1 and furthermore companies in the UK are obliged to monitor their water supply to ensure this standard is met.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/industry/consult/crypto/cryptob.htm

Positive Control Products for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts.

Procedures to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts within the water testing / analysis laboratory require the use of positive control products. TCS Water Sciences act as the European Distributor for BTF (Biotechnology Frontiers), the company that developed the Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia Cyst quality control products EasySeed™, EasyPC™ and ColorSeed™ C&G.

The products we supply contain precise numbers of inactive gamma-irradiated oocysts of the Iowa strain of Cryptosporidium parvum, approved by the DWI for use as an alternative to the Moredun Strain in laboratory quality control testing. The evidence supplied by BTF Pty Ltd shows the Iowa strain has advantages over the Moredun strain in terms of:

• Quality - Oocysts are in better condition

• Staining - Iowa displays excellent staining characteristics and reduced variability

• Availability - The Iowa strain is produced more frequently, and is readily available.

• Longevity - The Iowa strain has a long shelf-life (EasySeed™ tubes are stable for 4 months).

EasySeed™

EasySeed™ is a DWI and EPA approved flow sorted control product, perfect for water analysis and testing laboratories to quality control filter elution, immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and fluorescence microscopy (click here for details on our IFA Monoclonal antibodies).

EasyPC™

Manufactured with the DWI Regulations in mind, EasyPC™, is used for daily calibration of fluorescence microscopy. EasyPC™ is a quick, cost effective way of ensuring the performance of the IFA monoclonal antibodies, the fluorescence microscope and analyst.

ColorSeed™

ColorSeed™ C&G is a natural evolution of EasySeed™.  It is robust and extremely easy to use, although it has not yet been accredited by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Each batch of our products is supplied with a certificate of analysis.  Further details can be obtained by clicking on the links above or by contacting us.  We are always happy to talk to clients so if you have any questions please either contact us by using our enquiry form click here, or phone +44 (0)1296 714222

Please note: We act as distributor of these products in Europe only.

EasySeed™ and ColorSeed C&G™ are trademarks of Biotechnology Frontiers Pty Ltd.