TABLE 2.

Cost of PCR versus microscopy for the detection of Cryptosporidium

Method	Reagent costs ($/test) for:		Technologist time (min)a
	Single test	Batch testb
Microscopy	0.30	0.15	15
PCR	2.57	1.20	60

^aTime is for a single test plus controls. 

^bNinety-six tests per batch.