Method 1622/1623
Immunomagnetic Separation
Definition and Purpose
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Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) uses magnetic beads coated with antibodies that selectively attach to Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The bead-organism complexes are separated from the rest of the sample using a magnet. The extraneous debris is discarded, resulting in a small volume of purified sample which contains the organisms.

Because of the variation in amount and type of debris in different samples, IMS can be a challenging step in Method 1623.

Pellet, tube with beads, and Cryptosporidium with beads

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