Taking the eye strain out of environmental cryptosporidium analysis

Abstract

The use of flow cytometry to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in water was investigated using a Skatron Argos 100–5 instrument. Raw and treated drinking water samples seeded with oocysts and treated sewage samples known to contain oocysts were analysed by flow cytometry and by fluorescent microscopy. Oocysts could be rapidly detected in the treated sewage in raw and treated drinking water when the latter were seeded with levels of 1000 oocysts/1 or higher. Flow cytometry proved to be easier and quicker than fluorescent microscopy but an improvement in sensitivity is necessary before flow cytometery can be used for routine monitoring of drinking water supplies.