Cryptosporidium Contamination in Rural Water Supplies and Cryptosporidium Infestation among Children in Jiangsu Province

Objectives To investigate the cryptosporidium contamination in rural water supplies and cryptosporidium infestation among children in Jiangsu province, and to explore possible routes of transmission and influencing factors.

Methods A Filta-Max Xprss Method was used for detecting cryptosporidium oocysts in source water and drinking water. Cryptosporidium oocysts in the stool samples of 1 651 children were detected by using an auramine phenol-modified acid-fast staining method.

Results Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected in water samples. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 18 of 1651 children examined, and the cryptosporidium infestation rate was 1.09%. Most of infected children had no any symptom. Possible factors related to the infestation have not been found in this study.

Conclusions Cryptosporidium infestation was found in this region. Possible routes of transmission and risk factors should be studied in the future.