title: Cryptosporidium contamination of surface and water supplies in Haiti.
abstract: Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most frequent causes of diarrhea in Haiti. Transmission in children less than five years-old, HIV-infected individuals, and people living in low socio-economic conditions is frequently due to consumption of water or food contaminated by Cryptosporidium oocysts. This study examined the circulation of Cryptosporidium oocysts in surface waters and in public water supplies in the district of Port-au-Prince. Data were gathered from December 2000 to June 2002 in 37 sites. In the district of Port-au-Prince, 24/37 samples of water collected (65%) were contaminated by Cryptosporidium oocysts and 10/11 (91%) of those collected in reservoirs used by people living in peripheral areas. The rate of contamination was 7/13 (54%) in water from public standpipes provided by the public company of water distribution. All surface water (4/4) collected was highly contaminated.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Recherche 077, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Dakar, Sénégal.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brasseur
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agnamey
authors.forename: Evens
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.forename: Jean W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Pape
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaillant
authors.forename: Christian P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Raccurt
mesh_terms: D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D006205:Haiti / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*