Interaction of Cryptosporidium lifecycle stages with aquatic biofilm communities

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Cryptosporidium is the most common non-viral cause of diarrhoeal disease in humans worldwide, and of increasing significance as a cause of disease in livestock and wildlife. It is one of the most significant waterborne pathogens and a major challenge to the provision of safe drinking water by water utilities. Biofilms are a poorly studied component of Cryptosporidium's ecosystem, and can act as an environmental reservoir of the parasite in water storages and pipes and an unpredictable source of water contamination. This project will investigate the nature of this reservoir and factors that support the parasite's survival with a view to providing information of value in limiting the public health significance of the biofilm reservoir.