Cell culture-Taqman PCR assay for evaluation of Cryptosporidium parvum disinfection.
Cryptosporidium parvum represents a challenge to the water industry and a threat to public health. In this study, we developed a cell culture-quantitative PCR assay to evaluate the inactivation of C. parvum with disinfectants. The assay was validated by using a range of disinfectants in common use in the water industry, including low-pressure UV light (LP-UV), ozone, mixed oxidants (MIOX), and chlorine. The assay was demonstrated to be reliable and sensitive, with a lower detection limit of a single infectious oocyst. Effective oocyst inactivation was achieved (>2 log(10) units) with LP-UV (20 mJ/cm(2)) or 2 mg of ozone/liter (for 10 min). MIOX and chlorine treatments of oocysts resulted in minimal effective disinfection, with <0.1 log(10) unit being inactivated. These results demonstrate the inability of MIOX to inactivate Cryptosporidium. The assay is a valuable tool for the evaluation of disinfection systems for drinking water and recycled water.
Keegan
Alexandra R
AR
The Co-operative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, Australian Water Quality Centre, Microbiology R&D, PMB 3, South Australian Water Corporation, Salisbury, South Australia 5108, Australia. alex.keegan@sawater.com.au
Fanok
Stella
S
Monis
Paul T
PT
Saint
Christopher P
CP
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033661:Oocysts / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010126:Ozone / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D014881:Water Supply
D015342:DNA Probes; D016877:Oxidants; D014867:Water; D010126:Ozone; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite