Development of high impact styrene tube for the detection of Cryptosporidium and
Giardia enteric protozoan in water samples
WarapornTansiri1,NantidaVodmongkol1,Narongsak Boonkhao1,2,*,Pimchanok Witayaudom1,
Pranee Inprakhon3,Mayuna Srisuphanunt1,#
1
Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
2
Borommarajonani College of Nursing Changwat Nonthaburi, Thailand
3
Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok , Thailand
*e-mail: nokk2002@gmail.com, #e-mail: mayunaph@yahoo.com
Abstract
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are the most enteric protozoan causing human diarrhea
worldwide. Due to the small size and frequently low number of Cryptosporidium and Giardia
(oo)cysts in water, the detection of these protozoan is difficult and requires the efficient
laboratory equipments. Most of such equipments are imported and it is trade deficit for
Thailand. The purpose of the study is the development of high impact styrene tube for the
detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water samples. The imported glass L- tube was
used as prototype to develop high impact stylene tube by using plastic and local materials.
The developed high impact styrene tube was validated by the recovery efficiency of
Cryptosporidium and Giardia oo(cysts) detection in seeding samples to compared with the
imported L-tube. The efficiency comparison of high impact styrene tube and imported L-tube
for oo(cysts) recovery detection was no significant difference (p < 0.01). A total of 76 river
water samples were collected and processed according to USEPA Method 1623 to detect
Cryptosporidium and Giardia (oo)cysts by using the high impact styrene tubes.
Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were found in 12 (15.8%) and 7 (9.2%),
respectively. The results indicated that the high impact styrene tube was developed with low
cost and proficient use to replace imported products with no difference quality. The presence
of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in river water provide in epidemiological study and pose a
potential risk of waterborne diseases for public health.
Keywords : Cryptosporidium, Giardia, high impact styrene tube, water