A new viability assay for Cryptosporidium and Eimeria sporozoites is described. It involves the use of both acridine orange and bis-benzimide and is more rapid, easier and less subjective than procedures used previously. The assay has been used to investigate the effects of respiratory inhibitors and pH on the sporozoites of C. parvum, C. muris and E. tenella. Neither cyanide nor azide reduced the viability of C. parvum or E. tenella, whereas they had some effect on C. muris. This latter organism, an intracellular parasite of stomach epithelial cells, also differed from the other two in being able to survive pH 2 for as long as 1 h.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.