We provide NATA accredited analysis for the detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in all water types where Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts have been detected, including source waters, drinking water, swimming pools, sewage and sewage effluent.
Using probes, fluorescent in-situ hybridisation techniques (FISH) and genotyping analyses, we can speciate and determine the origin of the oocysts present in water samples.
Application
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are transmitted by the faecal oral route, and cause gastrointestinal illness.
They have been detected in all types of source waters, drinking water, swimming pools, sewage and sewage effluents. Their occurrence in surface waters can be dependent on large rainfall events and contamination by sewage effluents.
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness in humans, Cryptosporidiosis,
with symptoms of severe diarrhoea. The parasite can survive outside the body for long periods protected by
an outer shell that also renders it resistant to chlorine disinfection.
Giardia duodenalis is a human intestinal protozoan parasite that can survive in the environment as cysts. The cysts are shed in faeces in large numbers and are highly infectious.
Symptoms of Giardia infection include diarrhoea that can last for days or weeks, abdominal cramps, fatigue and weight loss. The cysts are typically ingested via contaminated waters, swimming in ponds, drinking from streams etc.
Outbreaks of infection caused by Cryptosporidium and Giardia have devastating effects on the healh and productivity of communities.
Cryptosporidium oocyst / 1 Giardia cyst per 10L
Sample container
Two sterile plastic 10L containers for most samples (analysis available for 1 to 100 litres depending on the water/ wastewater type). Sodium thiosulphate dosed. Air gap is required.
Label
JC1 - sterile - sodium thio - air gap, ice
Analytes & holding times
All water types
Cryptosporidium and Giardia
(96 hours as per USEPA 1623)
Storage and preservation
Iced or chilled to 4°C.
Sodium thiosulphate dosed.
Notes
Aseptic preparation is mandatory. Bottle to be double bagged with zip locks for storage on ice.
Isolation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia is achieved by concentrations of the organisms from large volume water or waste water samples (see Sampling Requirements) by flocculation or filtration using USA EPA Method 1623. Corrections for recovery rates are made for each individual sample with results expressed as number of organisms detected per sample volume tested. The method detects both Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
FISH results can be available the same day as Cryptosporidium counts allowing superior responses to detections.