Serological responses to Cryptosporidium antigens among users of surface- vs. ground-water sources

Abstract

Cryptosporidium oocysts are commonly detected in surface-derived drinking water. However, the public health significance of these findings is unclear. This study compared serological responses to two Cryptosporidium antigen groups for blood donors and college students using chlorinated and filtered river water vs. ground-water sources. The surface water received agricultural and domestic sewage discharges upstream. Participants from the surface-water city had a higher relative prevalence (RP) of a serological response to the 15/17-kDa antigen group (72·3 vs. 52·4%, RP=1·36, P<0·001) and to the 27-kDa antigen group (82·6 vs. 72·5%, RP=1·14, P<0·02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the people with a shorter duration of residence or drinking bottled water also had a lower seropositivity for each marker. Use of private wells was associated with a higher prevalence of response to the 15/17-kDa markers. Seroconversion to the 15/17-kDa antigen group was more common in the residents of the city using surface water. These findings are consistent with an increased risk of Cryptosporidium infection for users of surface-derived drinking water compared with users of municipal ground-water-derived drinking water. Users of private well water may also have an increased risk of infections.