A RAPID MICROCENTRIFUGE PROCEDURE FOR PURIFICATION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUMSPOROZOITES

A Percoll(R) centrifugation procedure is described that separates spor ozoites of Cryptosporidium parvum from intact and empty oocysts in jus t 3 min. A mixture of newly excysted sporozoites, intact and empty ooc ysts, are resuspended in;a Percoll(R) solution with a specific gravity of 1.04. The mixture is centrifuged in 1.5 mi tubes in a microfuge at 5,000 x g for 3 min. The pellet contains intact oocysts, empty oocyst s float atop of Percoll(R), and sporozoites layer out in a buffy coat immediately above the pellet.