Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions
<i>Cyclospora </i>oocysts are thought to be highly resistant in the environment but the climatic factors which determine the presence/persistence of <i>Cyclospora</i> oocysts are currently unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature,...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Ellie L. Rogers Joseph Arida John Grocholl Joyce Njoroge Sonia Almeria |
| author_facet | Ellie L. Rogers Joseph Arida John Grocholl Joyce Njoroge Sonia Almeria |
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| description | <i>Cyclospora </i>oocysts are thought to be highly resistant in the environment but the climatic factors which determine the presence/persistence of <i>Cyclospora</i> oocysts are currently unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature, water content, and soil texture on <i>C. cayetanensis</i> detection/persistence in artificially contaminated soil and herbs grown under controlled environmental conditions. Soil and leaves of three potted herbs (cilantro, parsley, and basil) grown in growth chambers and inoculated with <i>C. cayetanensis</i> oocysts were collected at 7, 14, 21, 28–31, 35–38, 42–45, 49–52, and 56 days post inoculation (dpi). Under wet watering conditions, independent of temperature, positive <i>C. cayetanensis</i> detection was observed at each sampling collection in both soil and herb leaves. Additionally, all three herbs were found to be positive for the parasite throughout the study duration in arid watering conditions. Conversely, short-lived persistence in soil was observed under arid conditions independent of temperature in Sandy Clay Loam soil (up to 14 dpi) and in Silt Loam soil (up to 21 dpi). Our results on the effect of desiccation on the presence and persistence of oocysts may provide useful insights for the proper cleaning and sanitizing of utensils or food contact surfaces to help control the persistence of the parasite. |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2e52c1cd4a424b3d986e5c9413d250d82025-08-20T02:33:58ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-04-0114543010.3390/pathogens14050430Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic ConditionsEllie L. Rogers0Joseph Arida1John Grocholl2Joyce Njoroge3Sonia Almeria4Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAJoint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USAVirology and Parasitology Branch, Division of Food and Environmental Safety, Office of Applied Microbiology and Technology, Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Sciences, Human Food Program (HFP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Laurel, MD 20708, USAVirology and Parasitology Branch, Division of Food and Environmental Safety, Office of Applied Microbiology and Technology, Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Sciences, Human Food Program (HFP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Laurel, MD 20708, USAVirology and Parasitology Branch, Division of Food and Environmental Safety, Office of Applied Microbiology and Technology, Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Sciences, Human Food Program (HFP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Laurel, MD 20708, USA<i>Cyclospora </i>oocysts are thought to be highly resistant in the environment but the climatic factors which determine the presence/persistence of <i>Cyclospora</i> oocysts are currently unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature, water content, and soil texture on <i>C. cayetanensis</i> detection/persistence in artificially contaminated soil and herbs grown under controlled environmental conditions. Soil and leaves of three potted herbs (cilantro, parsley, and basil) grown in growth chambers and inoculated with <i>C. cayetanensis</i> oocysts were collected at 7, 14, 21, 28–31, 35–38, 42–45, 49–52, and 56 days post inoculation (dpi). Under wet watering conditions, independent of temperature, positive <i>C. cayetanensis</i> detection was observed at each sampling collection in both soil and herb leaves. Additionally, all three herbs were found to be positive for the parasite throughout the study duration in arid watering conditions. Conversely, short-lived persistence in soil was observed under arid conditions independent of temperature in Sandy Clay Loam soil (up to 14 dpi) and in Silt Loam soil (up to 21 dpi). Our results on the effect of desiccation on the presence and persistence of oocysts may provide useful insights for the proper cleaning and sanitizing of utensils or food contact surfaces to help control the persistence of the parasite.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/430protozoa parasitesandy clay loamsilt loambasilparsleycilantro |
| spellingShingle | Ellie L. Rogers Joseph Arida John Grocholl Joyce Njoroge Sonia Almeria Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions Pathogens protozoa parasite sandy clay loam silt loam basil parsley cilantro |
| title | Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions |
| title_full | Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions |
| title_fullStr | Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions |
| title_short | Detectability and Persistence of <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis </i>Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions |
| title_sort | detectability and persistence of i cyclospora cayetanensis i oocysts in artificially contaminated soil and fresh herbs grown under controlled climatic conditions |
| topic | protozoa parasite sandy clay loam silt loam basil parsley cilantro |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/430 |
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