Overview of Waterborne Pathogens - Waterborne Pathogens: Detection Methods and Applications - page 24

Table 2.3 Overview of waterborne protozoa

Persistence
in water

Resistance to
disinfection

Route of
transmission

Pathogen Disease Relative infectivity

Acanthamoeba spp. Keratitis, encephalitis High May multiply Low Inhalation, skin

or eye contact

Cryptosporidium spp. Cryptosporidiosis High Long High Ingestion

Cyclospora cayetanensis Gastroenteritis High Long High Ingestion

Entamoeba histolytica Amoebic dysentery High Moderate High Ingestion

Giardia lamblia Giardiasis High Moderate High Ingestion

Naegleria fowleri Primary amoebic

meningoencephalitis

Moderate May multiply Low Inhalation

Toxoplasma gondii Toxoplasmosis High Long High Ingestion

Source: Adapted from the WHO list.