Recovery of Cryptosporidium oocysts from small and large volume water samples using a compressed foam filter system

A novel filter system comprising open cell reticulated foam rings compresse d between retaining plates and fitted into a filtration housing was evaluat ed for the recovery of oocysts of Cryptosporidium from water. Mean recoveri es of 90.2% from seeded small and large volume (100-20001) tap water sample s, and 88.8% from 10-201 river water samples, were achieved. Following a si mple potassium citrate flotation concentrate clean-up procedure, mean recov eries were 56.7% for the tap water samples and 60.9% for river water sample s. This represents a marked improvement in capture and recovery of Cryptosp oridium oocysts from water compared with conventional polypropylene wound c artridge filters and membrane filters.