What is enteric protozoa?

Enteric protozoa are common parasites in the gut of humans and other mammals. They, like enteric bacteria and viruses, can be found in water following direct or indirect contamination by the faeces of humans and other animals.

Where is Cryptosporidium found?

The principle source of Cryptosporidium contamination is believed to be animals, both domestic and wild. Cryptosporidium is relatively widespread in the environment and is commonly found in rivers and lakes—especially when the water is contaminated with animal wastes.

Is Giardia a parasite?

Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with feces (poop) from infected people or animals.

What is Cryptosporidium species?

Cryptosporidium species are protozoan parasites that cause mainly enteric illnesses in humans and other animals. The mode of transmission is most commonly waterborne, but other sources of infection, including foodborne and person-to-person spread, have been documented.

Are protozoa zoonotic?

Zoonotic protozoal parasites, including toxoplasmosis, Chagas’ disease, babesiosis, giardiasis, and leishmaniasis, can cause insidious infections, with asymptomatic animals being capable of transmitting disease. Giardia and Toxoplasma gondii, endemic to the United States, have high prevalences in companion animals.

Is Cryptosporidium similar to Giardia?

Cryptosporidium (also called ‘crypto’) and giardia are parasites found in the gut of infected people and animals. People infected with cryptosporidium or giardia usually get diarrhoea (runny poo). Some people can get very sick from cryptosporidium or giardia.

What is Cryptosporidium in water?

Cryptosporidium parasites get into surface water sources, such as rivers and lakes, from the stool (feces) of infected animals or people. Public water systems that get their water from these surface water sources can contain Cryptosporidium oocysts (the egg-like form of the parasite).

How is Cryptosporidium detected in water?

Microscopy-based methods. Microscopy is one of the most widely used methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water, food, and fecal samples (O’Donoghue 1995).

Is Giardia contagious?

Is Giardiasis Contagious? Giardiasis is very contagious, and can spread easily among families. In childcare centers or any facility caring for a group of people, or people who are traveling, giardiasis can easily pass from person to person.

What causes Cryptosporidium?

It is caused by microscopic germs—parasites called Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium, or “Crypto” for short, can be found in water, food, soil or on surfaces or dirty hands that have been contaminated with the feces of humans or animals infected with the parasite.