A review of the existing methods for detection, enumeration and inactivation of Cryptosporidium in surface waters

Assessing the microbiological quality of water for human consumption and/or recreational purposes has been a major concern for water authorities and public health officials for many years. To maintain the health and welfare of water consumers and to ensure public confidence in the water authorities, vigilant monitoring of source and treated water supplies must be undertaken. Part of the requirements for achieving optimal water quality requires the use of highly sensitive, reproducible and reliable microbiological assays to detect the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and their abundances in surface waters. This review paper examined the current detection and enumeration methods for Cryptosporidium in water samples. Attempts have also been made to evaluate the current epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in relation to water borne outbreaks.