Implications of biofilm-associated waterborne Cryptosporidium oocysts for the water industry.
Waterborne Cryptosporidium has been responsible for drinking water-associated disease outbreaks in a number of developed countries. As a result of the resistance of Cryptosporidium to chlorine, which is typically applied as a final barrier to protect the quality of distributed drinking water, current management practices are focused on source-water management and water treatment as ways of preventing Cryptosporidium from entering drinking-water supplies. In the event that treatment barriers fail, surprisingly little is known of the fate of oocysts once they enter a distribution system. To assess properly the risks of waterborne Cryptosporidium, a more thorough understanding of the fate of oocysts in water distribution systems, with emphasis on Cryptosporidium-biofilm interactions, is required.
Angles
Mark L
ML
Sydney Water, 115-123 Bathurst Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia. mark.angles@sydneywater.com.au
Chandy
Joseph P
JP
Cox
Peter T
PT
Fisher
Ian H
IH
Warnecke
Malcolm R
MR
D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000502:physiology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D033661:Oocysts / Q000502:physiology*; D011786:Quality Control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*
D014867:Water