Concentration of Cryptosporidium, microsporidia and other water-borne pathogens by continuous separation channel centrifugation

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of continuous separation channel centrifugation for concentrating water-borne pathogens of various taxa and sizes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, Giardia lamblia cysts, Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores and Escherichia coli were seeded into different water matrices at densities ranging from 5 to 10 000 organisms l(-1) and recovered using continuous separation channel centrifugation. All pathogens were enumerated on membrane filters using microscopy. Recovery efficiencies were usually > 90%. Oocyst recovery did not vary with source water turbidity or with centrifuge flow rate up to 250 ml min(-1). Based on excystation, this concentration method did not alter oocyst viability. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous separation channel centrifugation is an effective means of concentrating water-borne pathogens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Methods are needed for detecting pathogens in drinking water to ensure public health. The first step for any pathogen detection procedure is concentration. However, this step has been problematic because recovery efficiencies of conventional methods, like filtration, are often low and variable, which may lead to false negatives. Continuous separation channel centrifugation can simultaneously concentrate multiple pathogens as small as 1 microm with high and reproducible efficiency in a variety of water matrices.