Detection of infectious parasites in reclaimed water.
The presence of infectious protozoan pathogens in reclaimed water may present an unacceptable health risk. This study was designed similar to a study reported by Garcia et al. (2002), which detected no infectious Giardia cysts in the final effluent of a tertiary treatment facility as determined by animal infectivity (dose 1000 cysts/gerbil). This study also included evaluation of Cryptosporidium oocyst infectivity. Infectious Giardia cysts were detected in the final effluent with 1 gerbil out of 3 inoculated with 250 cysts from reclaimed water showing signs of infection 15 days postinoculation. None of the Cryptosporidium oocysts concentrated from the reclaimed water samples appeared to be infectious.
Huffman
Debra E
DE
University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, St Petersburg 33701, USA. dhuffman@seas.marine.usf.edu
Gennaccaro
Angela L
AL
Berg
Tracy L
TL
Batzer
Glenda
G
Widmer
Giovanni
G
D000818:Animals; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005849:Gerbillinae; D005872:Giardia / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D033661:Oocysts; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014871:Water Microbiology