AWWA WQTC52846

The objectives of this study were to compare Cryptosporidium parvuminfectivity in CD-1 mice, HCT-8 cells, MDCK cells, and Caco-2 cells. Infections in micewere detected by microscopy following staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Infectivity in cell cultures was detected by RT-PCR (HCT-8 and Caco-2 cells) and an immunofluorescence microscopy assay (IFA) for MDCK cells. The research will provide information on the correlation between the ability of oocysts to infect cell cultures and to cause infections in animals and will provide a basis for evaluating the true public health significance of waterborne oocysts that infect cell cultures. Includes 23 references, tables, figures.