Applied and Environmental Microbiology, August 2003, p. 4983-4984, Vol. 69, No. 8
0099-2240/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.8.4983-4984.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Infectious Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts in Final Reclaimed Effluent

Angela L. Gennaccaro,^* Molly R. McLaughlin, Walter Quintero-Betancourt, Debra E. Huffman, and Joan B. Rose

Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

Received 6 December 2002/ Accepted 2 June 2003

Water samples collected throughout several reclamation facilities were analyzed for the presence of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum by the focus detection method-most-probable-number cell culture technique. Results revealed the presence of infectious C. parvum oocysts in 40% of the final disinfected effluent samples. Sampled effluent contained on average seven infectious oocysts per 100 liters. Thus, reclaimed water is not pathogen free but contains infectious C. parvum.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 7th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Phone: (727) 553-3415. Fax: (727) 553-1189. E-mail: [email protected].

Present address: United States Geological Survey, Center for Coastal and Regional Marine Studies, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Present address: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, August 2003, p. 4983-4984, Vol. 69, No. 8
0099-2240/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AEM.69.8.4983-4984.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2003 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.