Association of Cryptosporidium parvum with suspended particles: Impact on oocyst sedimentation

A study was conducted to determine the conditions under which Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts associate with suspended sediments and how this interaction influences the sedimentation behavior of oocysts in surface waters. It was found that the ubiquious association of C. parvum oocysts with suspended particles enhances the sedimentation of oocysts in natural waters and that this interaction should generally be considered when predicting the migration of pathogens in the environment.