Wright M S, Collins P A
University of Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Clin Lab Sci. 1997 Sep-Oct;10(5):287-90.
Waterborne transmission of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and Giardia has been associated with numerous recent outbreaks of diarrheal disease. Epidemiologic evidence shows that many community-acquired infections originate from public water sources. Drinking water, even when chlorinated and filtered, has been implicated in several outbreaks. Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora are resistant to chlorine. Giardia cysts are not killed immediately by chlorine and are less susceptible than most other organisms. Swimming pools and other recreational waters have also been implicated as transmission sources. All 3 organisms pose a challenge to the water industry, as they are difficult to detect in water when small numbers of cysts or oocysts are present. Small numbers of these organisms can cause disease; therefore, the clinical laboratory must be vigilant in screening, identifying, and reporting outbreaks of illness due to these protozoa.
隐孢子虫、环孢子虫和贾第虫的水传播与近期多起腹泻病暴发有关。流行病学证据表明，许多社区获得性感染源自公共水源。饮用水，即使经过氯化和过滤处理，也与多起疫情有关。隐孢子虫和环孢子虫对氯具有抗性。贾第虫包囊不会被氯立即杀死，且比大多数其他生物更不易受影响。游泳池和其他娱乐用水也被认为是传播源。这三种生物都给水行业带来了挑战，因为当水中存在少量包囊或卵囊时很难检测到它们。少量这些生物就能引发疾病；因此，临床实验室必须保持警惕，筛查、识别并报告由这些原生动物引起的疾病暴发。
