Open AccessTracking Host Sources of Cryptosporidium spp. in Raw Water for Improved Health Risk Assessment
Author(s) -
Norma J. Ruecker,
Shan L. Braithwaite,
Edward Topp,
Thomas A. Edge,
David R. Lapen,
Graham Wilkes,
Will Robertson,
Diane Medeiros,
Christoph Wilhelm Sensen,
Norman F. Neumann
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.02788-06
Subject(s) - cryptosporidium , host (biology) , biology , tracking (education) , risk assessment , environmental science , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , computer science , feces , psychology , pedagogy , computer security
Recent molecular evidence suggests that different species and/or genotypes ofCryptosporidium display strong host specificity, altering our perceptions regarding the zoonotic potential of this parasite. Molecular forensic profiling of the small-subunit rRNA gene from oocysts enumerated on microscope slides by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency method 1623 was used to identify the range and prevalence ofCryptosporidium species and genotypes in the South Nation watershed in Ontario, Canada. Fourteen sites within the watershed were monitored weekly for 10 weeks to assess the occurrence, molecular composition, and host sources ofCryptosporidium parasites impacting water within the region.Cryptosporidium andersoni ,Cryptosporidium muskrat genotype II,Cryptosporidium cervine genotype,C. baileyi ,C. parvum ,Cryptosporidium muskrat genotype I, theCryptosporidium fox genotype, genotype W1, and genotype W12 were detected in the watershed. The molecular composition of theCryptosporidium parasites, supported by general land use analysis, indicated that mature cattle were likely the main source of contamination of the watershed. Deer, muskrats, voles, birds, and other wildlife species, in addition to sewage (human or agricultural) may also potentially impact water quality within the study area. Source water protection studies that use land use analysis with molecular genotyping ofCryptosporidium parasites may provide a more robust source-tracking tool to characterize fecal impacts in a watershed. Moreover, the information is vital for assessing environmental and human health risks posed by water contaminated with zoonotic and/or anthroponotic forms ofCryptosporidium .