title: Contamination of irrigation systems of dental units with Cryptosporidium species in Alexandria, Egypt: a neglected disinfection pitfall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the contamination of the dental irrigation systems with Cryptosporidium species in Alexandria, Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty water samples from all 20 working dental irrigation machines in a dental center in Alexandria were included in the study. Water samples were taken from the handpieces of dental irrigation machines in all studied units. After filtration through a membrane filter, water sample residues were stained using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and examined microscopically for Cryptosporidium spp.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cryptosporidium spp. was found as a contaminant in 27.5% of water samples taken from dental irrigation machines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This indicates a contamination by the public water supplies to which these dental irrigation machines are connected. This disinfection pitfall may pose an infection risk to those seeking dental care.
authors.affiliation: Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Farouk
authors.forename: Rashad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abdul-Ghani
authors.forename: Faika
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hassanein