The beads used in IMS contain iron and are coated with anti-Cryptosporidium and anti-Giardia monoclonal antibodies which are genus specific but not species specific. For example, oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum, C. hominis, and other species of Cryptosporidium will be recovered. The antibodies attached to the beads selectively bind to the epitope of the specific antigen in the cell wall of the (oo)cysts forming an antigen-antibody complex. Monoclonal antibodies are used because they reduce cross reaction with non-target organisms.
The beads commonly used by laboratories performing Method 1623 exhibit the following properties:
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