BRENT DIXON, PhD

CREM ASSOCIATE (RESEARCH)

Head of Foodborne Viruses, Parasites and Other Disease Agents

Microbiology Research Division,
Bureau of Microbial Hazards,
4th floor west, Banting Research Centre,
Ross Avenue, Tunney's Pasture,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0L2, Postal Locator 2204A2

Research aimed at increasing the sensitivity and specificity of detection, as well as the characterization and control, of food- and water-borne parasites of public health importance. Projects include the use of microscopy (epifluorescence, bright-field, DIC, SEM), flow cytometry/cell sorting, polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, immunomagnetic separation, and cell culture in the detection and characterization of the protozoan parasites Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Cyclospora.

Research Interests:
Development of pathogen detection techniques

Honors and Distinctions:

Appointed Adjunct Professor and Graduate Faculty, Department of Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island (Dec., 2003).
Member of Canadian delegation to Guatemala to inspect raspberry farms and exporters for Cyclospora contamination, Nov., 1998

Selected Publications:

Dixon, B., M. Parenteau, L. Parrington, D. Leclair, J. Bussey, M. Santin, and R. Fayer. Detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in harvested seals from Nunavik, Canada. (In Preparation).
Dixon, B. R., H. Couture, R. Cardinal, I. Laberge, and A. Ellis. Cyclospora on imported raspberries: a qualitative risk assessment. (In Preparation).
Uehlinger, F. D., H. W. Barkema, B. R. Dixon, T. Coklin, R. M. O=Handley. 2005. Dynamics and zoonotic potential of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in a veterinary college teaching herd. Int. J. Parasitology (Submitted).
Santin, M., B. Dixon, and R. Fayer. 2005. Genetic characterization of a Cryptosporidium isolate from ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Northern Canada. J. Parasitology (In Press).
Dixon, B., J. Bussey, L. Parrington, and M. Parenteau. 2005. Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in human faecal specimens using flow cytometry. J. Clinical Microbiol. 43: 2375-2379.
Hoang, L. M. N., M. Fyfe, C. Ong, J. Harb, S. Champagne, B. Dixon, and J. Isaac-Renton. 2005. Outbreak of cyclosporiasis in British Columbia associated with imported Thai basil. Epidemiol. Infect. 133: 23-27.
Piche, R., R. Chen, L. Hoang, B. Dixon, J. H. Cross, H. D. A. Lindquist, M. W. Fyfe, S. Champagne, J. L. Isaac-Renton, and C. S. L. Ong. 2002. Molecular epidemiological studies on two cyclosporiasis outbreaks in Vancouver, British Columbia. In Proceedings of the 10th International Congress of Parasitology - ICOPA X, Vancouver, B.C., 4-9 August, 2002. Monduzzi Editore, Bologna, Italy, pp. 89-92