CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INFECTIONS IN MUSKRAT (ONDATRA-ZIBETHICA)

The faeces of muskrats were examined for Cryptosporidium infections. A total of 121 muskrats trapped in areas close to surface water supplie s in two different regions of Germany were examined for the presence o f Cryptosporidium spp oocysts. Faecal samples from these animals were homogenised and processed by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation, through a 1 M sucrose solution. Separated oocysts were identified by i mmunofluorescence test assay. 56 animals (46.3 %) were found to be Cry ptosporidium positive. These results implicate muskrats as a source of contamination of surface water supplies with Cryptosporidium oocysts.