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Title:   Author  item
                                            DIXON, BRENT - Health Canadaitem
                                            Fayer, Ronalditem
                                            Santin-Duran, Monicaitem
                                            Hill, Doloresitem
                                            Dubey, Jitender
  Submitted to: Rapid Detection, Characterization, and Enumeration of Food-Borne Pathogens
                                    Publication Type: Book / Chapter
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 5/4/2011
                                    Citation: Dixon, B., Fayer, R., Santin, M., Hill, D.E., Dubey, J.P. 2011. Protozoan parisites:  Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora, and Toxoplasma. In: Hoorfar, J., editor. Foodborne Protozoans. Rapid Detection, Characterization, and Enumeration of Food-Borne Pathogens. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Microbiology. p. 349-370.Interpretive Summary: Identification of the human pathogens Cryptosporidium and Giardia can be made with the aid of a microscope, using specialized adaptations called phase contrast, differential interference contrast or fluorescence microscopy. With requirements for ever increasing sensitivity and specificity the trend is to rely less on microscopic observations and more on DNA fingerprinting methods. Most Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections are spread by contaminated recreational and drinking water. Therefore, efforts to prevent contamination need to focus on reducing fecal contamination from persons with diarrhea or known infections from entering recreational waters and for backpackers or campers from drinking water directly from rivers, streams or ponds. Filtering or boiling water can remove infectious cysts. Because most foodborne infections with Cryptosporidium and Giardia have been traced to foodhandlers with diarrhea, or in association with children with diarrhea, they should not be handling food served to the public or their family members. Because this action would be difficult or impossible to enforce, all foodhandlers should wear clean disposable gloves when handling foods. A general approach for prevention of foodborne disease is to wash, peel, or cook raw fruits and vegetables before eating.
                                Technical Abstract:  Identification of the human pathogens Cryptosporidium and Giardia can be grouped into general morphology by microscopy, chemical and immunofluorescent staining methods aiding microscopy, and biochemical and molecular tests. Microscopic observations can be made using brightfield with or without special stains, phase contrast, differential interference contrast or fluorescence microscopy. With requirements for ever increasing sensitivity and specificity the trend is to rely less on microscopic observation and more on instrumentation. Most Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections are spread by contaminated recreational and drinking water. Therefore, efforts to prevent contamination need to focus on reducing fecal contamination from persons with diarrhea or known infections from entering recreational waters and for backpackers or campers from drinking water directly from rivers, streams or ponds. Filtering or boiling water can remove infectious cysts. Because most foodborne infections with Cryptosporidium and Giardia have been traced to foodhandlers with diarrhea, or in association with children with diarrhea, they should not be handling food served to the public or their family members. Because this action would be difficult or impossible to enforce, all foodhandlers should wear clean disposable gloves when handling foods. A general approach for prevention of foodborne disease is to wash, peel, or cook raw fruits and vegetables before eating.


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