Folia Parasitologica 45[2] 113-116 (1998)
Viability of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in natural waters
- Brasseur, P (reprint author), Ctr Hosp Univ, Hop Charles Nicolle, Dept Parasitol, F-76031 Rouen, France
Water-borne transmission of the coccidium Cryptosporidium parvum Tyzzer, 1912 is frequently responsible for outbreaks of human cryptosporidiosis. One of the most important was reported in 1993 in Milwaukee in the United States, where 403,000 cases were recorded. The determination of the percentage of oocysts excystated is the first step in evaluating their viability, but it alone is not sufficient. This percentage depended on the conditions of storage and also the presence of oxidant or disinfectent agents in water. The percentage of excystation is not always related to viability. Therefore, determination of the viability of excysted sporozoites by determining their infectivity for enterocytic Caco2 cell lines in culture provides information essential for evaluating the risk of contaminated drinking water.
Published: June 1, 1998 Show citation
