Protozoan Parasites

Analysis of Cured Meat Products for Cryptosporidium Oocysts following Possible Contamination during an Extensive Waterborne Outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis

“…Although a reasonable quantity of literature has been published on elution of Cryptosporidium oocysts from the surfaces of fruits and vegetables (2,3,(14)(15)(16) and also from shellfish (12,14,17), very little has been published on the elution of Cryptosporidium oocysts from meat products, and we were unable to identify any previous publications on the detection of Ciyptosporidium oocysts on cured meat products. Therefore, based on our extensive experience with the develop ment of methods for the isolation of protozoan parasites from fruits, vegetables, and shellfish, an analytical protocol outline was described (Fig.…”

“…As the cured products are then consumed without further preparation (cooking) in the home, it was considered that, if the products had become contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts during their water contact, then they could potentially act as vehicles for further transmission of Cryptosporidium to the consumer. Various foodbome outbreaks of cryptosporidio sis have been documented in the literature; although the outbreaks are apparently from diverse areas of the world (the Far East, the United States, Australia, and Europe), it is interesting to note that Scandinavia is strikingly overrepre sented (14). It is speculated that this may reflect consumer habits or elevated diagnostic proficiency or that Cryptospo ridium oocysts thrive best in the moist, cool conditions that predominate in Scandinavian countries (14).…”

“…Various foodbome outbreaks of cryptosporidio sis have been documented in the literature; although the outbreaks are apparently from diverse areas of the world (the Far East, the United States, Australia, and Europe), it is interesting to note that Scandinavia is strikingly overrepre sented (14). It is speculated that this may reflect consumer habits or elevated diagnostic proficiency or that Cryptospo ridium oocysts thrive best in the moist, cool conditions that predominate in Scandinavian countries (14).…”

“…The development of a robust, reproducible, and efficient method for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts on food has been considered a challenge for many years (14). Although various methods have been developed for fruit and vegetables (2, 3 , 1 5 ,1 6 ) and also for shellfish (12,17), a validated standard method has yet to be described (14).…”

“…Although various methods have been developed for fruit and vegetables (2, 3 , 1 5 ,1 6 ) and also for shellfish (12,17), a validated standard method has yet to be described (14). In this article, we describe the development and use of a method for analyzing the surfaces of cured meat products for Cryptosporidium oocysts and the rationale for subse quent release onto the market of the products that had been exposed to the potentially contaminated water.…”