Effects of ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst viability

Purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were exposed to ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine. Excystation and mouse infectivity were comparatively evaluated to assess oocyst viability. Ozone and chlorine dioxide more effectively inactivated oocysts than chlorine and monochloramine did. Greater than 90% inactivation as measured by infectivity was achieved by treating oocysts with 1 ppm of ozone (1 mg/liter) for 5 min. Exposure to 1.3 ppm of chlorine dioxide yielded 90% inactivation after 1 h, while 80 ppm of chlorine and 80 ppm of monochloramine required approximately 90 min for 90% inactivation. The data indicate that C. parvum oocysts are 30 times more resistant to ozone and 14 times more resistant to chlorine dioxide than Giardia cysts exposed to these disinfectants under the same conditions. With the possible exception of ozone, the use of disinfectants alone should not be expected to inactivate C. parvum oocysts in drinking water.

Effect of bromide and iodide ions on the formation and speciation of disinfection byproducts during chlorination

Two natural waters were fortified with various levels of bromide or iodide ions (0-30 microM) and chlorinated in the laboratory to study the impact of bromide and iodide ions on the formation and speciation of disinfection byproducts. Trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), total organic halogen (TOX), and its halogen-specific fractions total organic chlorine (TOCl), bromine (TOBr), and iodine (TOI), were measured in this work. The molar yields of THMs and HAAs increased as the initial bromide concentration increased. No significant change in TOX concentration was found for varying bromide concentrations. However, TOX concentrations decreased substantially with increasing initial iodide concentrations. At higher levels of bromide, there was a decreasing level of unknown TOX and unknown TOCl but an increasing level of unknown TOBr. The extent of iodine substitution was much lower than that of bromine substitution when comparing identical initial concentrations because a substantial amount of iodide was oxidized to iodate by chlorine. The tendency toward iodate formation resulted in the unusual situation where higher chlorine doses actually caused reduced levels of iodinated organic byproducts. Quantitative assessment of the results of this study showed a good agreement with kinetic data in the literature.

Inactivation of biofilm bacteria

The current project was developed to examine inactivation of biofilm bacteria and to characterize the interaction of biocides with pipe surfaces. Unattached bacteria were quite susceptible to the variety of disinfectants tested. Viable bacterial counts were reduced 99% by exposure to 0.08 mg of hypochlorous acid (pH 7.0) per liter (1 to 2 degrees C) for 1 min. For monochloramine, 94 mg/liter was required to kill 99% of the bacteria within 1 min. These results were consistent with those found by other investigators. Biofilm bacteria grown on the surfaces of granular activated carbon particles, metal coupons, or glass microscope slides were 150 to more than 3,000 times more resistant to hypochlorous acid (free chlorine, pH 7.0) than were unattached cells. In contrast, resistance of biofilm bacteria to monochloramine disinfection ranged from 2- to 100-fold more than that of unattached cells. The results suggested that, relative to inactivation of unattached bacteria, monochloramine was better able to penetrate and kill biofilm bacteria than free chlorine. For free chlorine, the data indicated that transport of the disinfectant into the biofilm was a major rate-limiting factor. Because of this phenomenon, increasing the level of free chlorine did not increase disinfection efficiency. Experiments where equal weights of disinfectants were used suggested that the greater penetrating power of monochloramine compensated for its limited disinfection activity. These studies showed that monochloramine was as effective as free chlorine for inactivation of biofilm bacteria. The research provides important insights into strategies for control of biofilm bacteria.

Micronucleus tests in mice on 39 food additives and eight miscellaneous chemicals

A total of 47 chemical substances including 32 synthetic food additives, seven additives from natural sources, three trihalogenated methanes, two fluoro-compounds for dental use, one insecticide, and two other compounds were subjected to the micronucleus test in mice. Five compounds, i.e. chlorine dioxide, maltol, potassium bromate, sodium chlorite and sodium dehydroacetate, were found to induce micronuclei after a single ip injection. Potassium bromate, sodium chlorite and sodium dehydroacetate were tested further by oral administration, and potassium bromate showed a clearly positive result. Almost all the compounds which were negative with the single treatment were additionally tested by four or five multiple treatments, but none showed any indication of micronucleus induction.

Rate of formation of the ClO dimer in the polar stratosphere: implications for ozone loss

The gas-phase recombination of chlorine monoxide (ClO) has been investigated under the conditions of pressure and temperature that prevail in the Antarctic stratosphere during the period of maximum ozone (O3) disappearance. Measured rate constants are less than one-half as great as the previously accepted values. One-dimensional model calculations based on the new rate data indicate that currently accepted chemical mechanisms can quantitatively account for the observed O3 losses in late spring (17 September to 7 October). A qualitative assessment indicates that the existing mechanisms can only account for at most one-half of the measured O3 depletion in the early spring (28 August to 17 September), indicating that there may be additional catalytic cycles, besides those currently recognized, that destroy O3.

Isolation, purification and characterization of xylanasefrom Staphylococcus sp. SG-13 and its application in biobleaching of kraft pulp

A haloalkalophilic Staphylococcus sp. SG-13 produced an alkalistable xylanase in wheat bran medium. A 12-fold purification was achieved by using standard purification techniques. The purified xylanase exhibited a dual pH optima of 7.5 and 9.2. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 50 degrees C. The enzyme was stable at 50 degrees C for more than 4 h. The xylanase exhibited Km and Vmax values of 4 mg ml-1, 90 micromol min-1 per mg for birchwood xylan and 7 mg ml-1, 55 micromol min-1 per mg for oatspelt xylan, respectively. The substrate binding affinity of xylanase was more for oatspelt xylan but birchwood xylan was hydrolysed more rapidly. The xylanase activity was stimulated by Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and dithiothreitol up to 60% and was strongly inhibited in the presence of Co2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, phenyl methane sulphonyl fluoride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and acetic anhydride up to 100%. The xylanase dose of 1.8 U g-1 moisture free pulp, exhibited bleach boosting of kraft pulps optimally at pH 9.5-10.0 and 50 degrees C after 4 h of reaction time. Pretreatment of pulp with xylanase and its subsequent treatment with 8% hypochlorite, reduced the kappa number by 30%, enhanced the brightness and viscosity by 11% and 1.8%, respectively, and improved the paper properties such as tensile strength and burst factor up to 10% and 17%, respectively.

Degradation and Deactivation of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance Genes during Exposure to Free Chlorine, Monochloramine, Chlorine Dioxide, Ozone, Ultraviolet Light, and Hydroxyl Radical

This work investigated degradation (measured by qPCR) and biological deactivation (measured by culture-based natural transformation) of extra- and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs and iARGs) by free available chlorine (FAC), NH₂Cl, O₃, ClO₂, and UV light (254 nm), and of eARGs by ^•OH, using a chromosomal ARG ( blt) of multidrug-resistant Bacillus subtilis 1A189. Rate constants for degradation of four 266-1017 bp amplicons adjacent to or encompassing the acfA mutation enabling blt overexpression increased in proportion to #AT+GC bps/amplicon, or in proportion to #5'-GG-3' or 5'-TT-3' doublets/amplicon, with respective values ranging from 0.59 to 2.3 (×10¹¹ M^-1 s^-1) for ^•OH, 1.8-6.9 (×10⁴ M^-1 s^-1) for O₃, 3.9-9.2 (×10³ M^-1 s^-1) for FAC, 0.35-1.2(×10¹ M^-1 s^-1) for ClO₂, and 2.0-8.8 (×10^-2 cm²/mJ) for UV at pH 7, and from 1.7-4.4 M^-1 s^-1 for NH₂Cl at pH 8. For FAC, NH₂Cl, O₃, ClO₂, and UV, ARG deactivation paralleled degradation of amplicons approximating a ∼800-1000 bp acfA-flanking sequence required for natural transformation in B. subtilis, whereas deactivation outpaced degradation for ^•OH. At practical disinfectant exposures, eARGs and iARGs were ≥90% degraded/deactivated by FAC, O₃, and UV, but recalcitrant to NH₂Cl and ClO₂. iARG degradation/ deactivation always lagged cell inactivation. These findings provide a quantitative framework for evaluating ARG fate during disinfection/oxidation, and support using qPCR as a proxy for tracking ARG deactivation under carefully selected circumstances.

Effect of disinfection of drinking water with ozone or chlorine dioxide on survival of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts

Demineralized water was seeded with controlled numbers of oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum purified from fresh calf feces and subjected to different treatments with ozone or chlorine dioxide. The disinfectants were neutralized by sodium thiosulfate, and neonatal mice were inoculated intragastrically and sacrificed 7 days later for enumeration of oocyst production. Preliminary trials indicated that a minimum infection level of 1,000 oocysts (0.1-ml inoculum) per mouse was necessary to induce 100% infection. Treatment of water containing 10(4) oocysts per ml with 1.11 mg of ozone per liter (concentration at time zero [C0]) for 6 min totally eliminated the infectivity of the oocysts for neonatal mice. A level of 2.27 mg of ozone per liter (C0) was necessary to inactivate water containing 5 x 10(5) oocysts per ml within 8 min. Also, 0.4 mg of chlorine dioxide per liter (C0) significantly reduced infectivity within 15 min of contact, although some oocysts remained viable.

Behavior of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in a drinking water distribution system

This investigation focused on the seasonal variation and spatial fate of chlorination disinfection by-products (CDBPs) in a drinking water distribution system located in a region where very significant seasonal variations in water temperature and surface water quality occur. The analysis of a large number of collected samples showed that the seasonal and geographical variations of both groups of CDBPs under study--trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs)--were particularly important in this region. THM levels in summer and fall were, on average, about five times higher than in winter, whereas average HAAs in spring were about four times higher than in winter. THMs increased and stabilized in the extremities of the distribution system, whereas HAAs begin to increase, and then decrease (mainly due to a reduction of dichloroacetic acid). This decrease was significantly higher in warm waters than in cold waters, which led to the hypothesis of microbial degradation of HAAs as water approaches the system extremities. In fact, regression models for the occurrence of both CDBPs showed that the residence time of water was one important parameter in explaining the fate of both CDBPs. The spatio-temporal portrait of both groups of CDBPs that was generated demonstrates that, due to their high intra-seasonal changes, the calculation of average annual levels of these substances for compliance with regulations can vary widely. The results used in the portrait of CDBP behavior are also relevant in terms of exposure assessment for future epidemiological studies on human reproductive outcomes in the region.

Mechanistic Investigation into the Selective Anticancer Cytotoxicity and Immune System Response of Surface-Functionalized, Dichloroacetate-Loaded, UiO-66 Nanoparticles

The high drug-loading and excellent biocompatibilities of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have led to their application as drug-delivery systems (DDSs). Nanoparticle surface chemistry dominates both biostability and dispersion of DDSs while governing their interactions with biological systems, cellular and/or tissue targeting, and cellular internalization, leading to a requirement for versatile and reproducible surface functionalization protocols. Herein, we explore not only the effect of introducing different surface functionalities to the biocompatible Zr-MOF UiO-66 but also the efficacy of three surface modification protocols: (i) direct attachment of biomolecules [folic acid (FA) and biotin (Biot)] introduced as modulators for UiO-66 synthesis, (ii) our previously reported "click-modulation" approach to covalently attach polymers [poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly-l-lactide, and poly-N-isopropylacrylamide] to the surface of UiO-66 through click chemistry, and (iii) surface ligand exchange to postsynthetically coordinate FA, Biot, and heparin to UiO-66. The innovative use of a small molecule with metabolic anticancer activity, dichloroacetate (DCA), as a modulator during synthesis is described, and it is found to be compatible with all three protocols, yielding surface-coated, DCA-loaded (10-20 w/w %) nano-MOFs (70-170 nm). External surface modification generally enhances the stability and colloidal dispersion of UiO-66. Cellular internalization routes and efficiencies of UiO-66 by HeLa cervical cancer cells can be tuned by surface chemistry, and anticancer cytotoxicity of DCA-loaded MOFs correlates with the endocytosis efficiency and mechanisms. The MOFs with the most promising coatings (FA, PEG, poly-l-lactide, and poly-N-isopropylacrylamide) were extensively tested for selectivity of anticancer cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HEK293 healthy kidney cells as well as for cell proliferation and reactive oxygen species production against J774 macrophages and peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from the blood of human donors. DCA-loaded, FA-modified UiO-66 selectively kills cancer cells without harming healthy ones or provoking immune system response in vitro, suggesting a significant targeting effect and great potential in anticancer drug delivery. The results provide mechanistic insight into the design and functionalization of MOFs for drug delivery and underline the availability of various in vitro techniques to potentially minimize early-stage in vivo animal studies following the three Rs: reduction, refinement, and replacement.

Effect of chlorine dioxide on selected membrane functions of Escherichia coli

The mode of action of chlorine dioxide on Escherichia coli was assessed by studying outer membrane permeability to macromolecules and potassium, and observing effects on respiration. The results indicate that gross cellular damage involving significant leakage of intracellular macromolecules does not occur. There was a substantial efflux of potassium, however, and respiration was inhibited even at sublethal doses. It was concluded that the inhibition of respiration, which could be due to the damage to the cell envelope, was not the primary lethal event. Observations of the efflux of K+ strongly implicate the loss of permeability control as the primary lethal event at the physiological level, with nonspecific oxidative damage to the outer membrane leading to the destruction of the trans-membrane ionic gradient.

Relation between stillbirth and specific chlorination by-products in public water supplies

During water treatment, chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in surface water to produce a number of by-products. Of the by-products formed, trihalomethanes (THMs) are among the highest in concentration. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the relationship between the level of total THM and specific THMs in public water supplies and risk for stillbirth. The cohort was assembled from a population-based perinatal database in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and consisted of almost 50,000 singleton deliveries between 1988 and 1995. Individual exposures were assigned by linking mother's residence at the time of delivery to the levels of specific THMs monitored in public water supplies. Analysis was conducted for all stillbirths and for cause-of-death categories based on the physiologic process responsible for the fetal death. Total THMs and the specific THMs were each associated with increased stillbirth risk. The strongest association was observed for bromodichloromethane exposure, where risk doubled for those exposed to a level of [greater and equal to] 20 microg/L compared to those exposed to a level < 5 microg/L (relative risk = 1. 98, 95% confidence interval, 1.23-3.49). Relative risk estimates associated with THM exposures were larger for asphyxia-related deaths than for unexplained deaths or for stillbirths overall. These findings suggest a need to consider specific chlorination by-products in relation to stillbirth risk, in particular bromodichloromethane and other by-product correlates. The finding of a stronger effect for asphyxia deaths requires confirmation and research into possible mechanisms.

Effect of disinfectants on pathogenic free-living amoebae: in axenic conditions

The amoebicidal properties of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, and deciquam 222 were examined in axenic conditions. Naegleria spp. were found to be more sensitive to chlorine and chlorine dioxide than Acanthamoeba spp. No marked difference in sensitivity to ozone or deciquam 222 could be detected between the pathogenic (A-1) and nonpathogenic (1501) strains of Acanthamoeba and the pathogenic (MsT) and nonpathogenic (P1200f) strains of Naegleria. Methods of disinfection are discussed with reference to suitability of the disinfectants to real conditions.

Inactivation of simian rotavirus SA11 by chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and monochloramine

The kinetics of inactivation of simian rotavirus SA11 by chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and monochloramine were studied at 5 degrees C with a purified preparation of single virions and a preparation of cell-associated virions. Inactivation of the virus preparations with chlorine and chlorine dioxide was studied at pH 6 and 10. The monochloramine studies were done at pH 8. With 0.5 mg of chlorine per liter at pH 6, more than 4 logs (99.99%) of the single virions were inactivated in less than 15 s. Both virus preparations were inactivated more rapidly at pH 6 than at pH 10. With chlorine dioxide, however, the opposite was true. Both virus preparations were inactivated more rapidly at pH 10 than at pH 6. With 0.5 mg of chlorine dioxide per liter at pH 10, more than 4 logs of the single-virus preparation were inactivated in less than 15 s. The cell-associated virus was more resistant to inactivation by the three disinfectants than was the preparation of single virions. Chlorine and chlorine dioxide, each at a concentration of 0.5 mg/liter and at pH 6 and 10, respectively, inactivated 99% of both virus preparations within 4 min. Monochloramine at a concentration of 10 mg/liter and at pH 8 required more than 6 h for the same amount of inactivation.

Sustained high levels of stored drinking water treatment and retention of hand-washing knowledge in rural Kenyan households following a clinic-based intervention

Nyanza Province, Kenya is characterized by poor water quality and high diarrhoea prevalence. To address these problems, nurses in a maternal and child health clinic in Homa Bay, Kenya were trained in household water chlorination with a locally available, social marketed product, and in six steps of proper hand washing. They were asked to communicate this information to their clients. Interviews immediately following the training by nurses were conducted on 220 clients, of whom 168 (76%) reported being taught both procedures during their clinic visit. After 2 weeks, free chlorine residuals were present in stored drinking water in 67 out of 98 (68%) clients' homes and, 1 year later, in 36 out of 51 (71%) clients' homes. After 2 weeks, all six hand-washing steps were correctly demonstrated by 41 (44%) out of 93 clients, and by 17 out of 51 (34%) 1 year later. This brief, practical intervention shows promise for vulnerable populations.

Effect of antecedent growth conditions on sensitivity of Escherichia coli to chlorine dioxide

Bacterial resistance to inactivation by antibacterial agents that is induced by the growth environment was studied. Escherichia coli was grown in batch culture and in a chemostat, and the following parameters were varied: type of substrate, growth rate, temperature, and cell density during growth. Low doses (0.75 mg/liter) of chlorine dioxide were used to inactivate the cultures. The results demonstrated that populations grown under conditions that more closely approximated natural aquatic environments were more resistant than those grown under commonly employed batch culture conditions. In particular, bacteria grown at submaximal rates were more resistant than their counterparts grown at mumax. The most resistant populations encountered in this study were those grown at D values of 0.02 h-1 and 0.06 h-1 at 25 degrees C. Growth at 15 degrees C led to greater resistance than did growth at 37 degrees C. The conditions that produced relatively resistant phenotypes were much closer to those found in most natural environments than are the typical conditions of batch culture methods. The importance of major physiological changes that can be induced by the antecedent growth environment is discussed in light of the possible modes of action of several disinfectants.

Mechanisms of inactivation of poliovirus by chlorine dioxide and iodine

Chlorine dioxide and iodine inactivated poliovirus more efficiently at pH 10.0 than at pH 6.0. Sedimentation analyses of viruses inactivated by chlorine dioxide and iodine at pH 10.9 showed that viral RNA separated from the capsids, resulting in the conversion of virions from 156S structures to 80S particles. The RNAs release from both chlorine dioxide- and iodine-inactivated viruses cosedimented with intact 35S viral RNA. Both chlorine dioxide and iodine reacted with the capsid proteins of poliovirus and changed the pI from pH 7.0 to pH 5.8. However, the mechanisms of inactivation of poliovirus by chlorine dioxide and iodine were found to differ. Iodine inactivated viruses by impairing their ability to adsorb to HeLa cells, whereas chlorine dioxide-inactivated viruses showed a reduced incorporation of [14C]uridine into new viral RNA. We concluded, then, that chlorine dioxide inactivated poliovirus by reacting with the viral RNA and impairing the ability of the viral genome to act as a template for RNA synthesis.

Nasal pathology and ultrastructure in patients with chronic airway inflammation (RADS and RUDS) following an irritant exposure

BACKGROUND

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome is a chronic asthma-like condition developing after an acute irritant exposure, and chronic inflammation has been seen on endobronchial biopsy. Reactive upper-airways dysfunction syndrome is chronic rhinitis developing in temporal association with a toxic inhalation exposure, but the pathophysiology is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To study biopsies of the nasal mucosa in patients with reactive upper-airways dysfunction syndrome and in some cases reactive airways dysfunction syndrome developing in temporal association with a chlorine dioxide exposure, to see if a histologic basis for the persistent rhinitis and sensitivity to chemical irritants could be determined.

METHODS

Specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunoperoxidase stains for substance P, vasointestinal peptide, and S-100 (nerve fibers), and fixed in glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. Biopsies of three nonexposed subjects were performed for comparison. A pathologist blinded to clinical data interpreted the specimens.

RESULTS

Inflammation ratings of exposed individuals were higher than for the nonexposed individuals. The number of nerve fibers stained was greater for patients vs controls. Substance P and vasointestinal peptide staining was nonspecific. Electron microscopy showed desquamation of the epithelium and permeability of epithelial cell junctions.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests a mechanism by which ongoing low level exposures perpetuate airway inflammation after an inducing toxic inhalation. A possible overlap between reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, reactive upper-airway dysfunction syndrome and the multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome is suggested.

In-depth disinfection of acrylic resins

This study demonstrated that bacteria penetrate three kinds of dental acrylic resin after a short time period. Samples of acrylic resin were contaminated with a variety of bacteria and were then placed in three different disinfecting solutions as directed by the manufacturers. After the specific dilution and immersion time, cultures were made from the resin samples. The only effective disinfectant was a 0.525% solution of sodium hypochlorite at a 10-minute immersion. It disinfected not only the surfaces but also the bacteria that penetrated the surfaces to a depth of 3 mm.

Advanced oxidation of a pulp mill bleaching wastewater

The degradation, by several advanced oxidation reactions, of a pulp mill ECF bleaching effluent, was studied. The initial biodegradability of the organic matter present in the effluent, estimated as the BOD5/COD, was low (0.3). When the effluent was submitted to ozonation and to five different advanced oxidation systems (O3/UV, O3/UV/ZnO, O3/UV/TiO2, O2/UV/ZnO, O2/UV/TiO2), the biodegradability increase significantly. After five minutes of reaction, the O3/UV system appears as the most efficient in to transform the organic matter to more biodegradable forms. A similar effect was observed when the effluent was submitted to an activated sludge treatment. The COD, TOC and toxicity reduction correlated well with the biodegradability enhancement after AOPs treatments.

Accuracy of elastomeric impressions disinfected by immersion

This study evaluates the accuracy and surface quality of stone dies made from impressions that had been placed in disinfectants. Results indicated that selection of the type of impression material is more important than selection of the disinfectant. Addition silicone and polysulfide impressions were disinfected without a loss in accuracy, whereas polyether impressions were adversely affected. The surface quality of dies was acceptable with disinfection and one disinfectant contributed to an improvement in surface quality compared with the control.

Reactions of aqueous chlorine and chlorine dioxide with model food compounds

Chlorine and chlorine dioxide (ClO2), common disinfecting and bleaching chemicals used in the food industry, are potent oxidizing and chlorinating agents. Unfortunately, little is known about the nature of the reactions of chlorine with organic food constituents. This presentation reviews published information concerning the reactions of chlorine gas (Cl2[g]), aqueous chlorine, and ClO2 with model food compounds, the fate of chlorine during the chlorination of specific food products, and the potential toxicity of the reaction products. Fatty acids and their methyl esters react with chlorine with the degree of incorporation corresponding to their degree of unsaturation. Aqueous chlorine oxidizes and chlorinates lipids and amino acids much more readily than ClO2. Several amino acids are highly susceptible to oxidation and chlorination by chlorine compounds. Reactions of chlorine and ClO2 with several food products, including flour and shrimp, have also been characterized. In one model system, 99% of Cl2(g) either reacted with components of flour or was consumed by oxidation/chlorination reactions. The lipids extracted from the chlorinated flour contained significant amounts of chlorine. Exposure of shrimp to hypochlorous acid (HOCl) solution resulted in significant incorporation of chlorine into the edible portion. Although significant quantities of chlorine can be incorporated into specific model compounds and food products, the health risks associated with exposure to chlorinated organic products are unknown. Preliminary studies using the Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay indicate that the reaction products from mixtures of aqueous chlorine and various lipids or tryptophan are nonmutagenic. Nevertheless, additional studies are warranted, so that the toxicological significance of these reaction products can be understood more fully.

Nucleic acid stains as indicators of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst viability

We developed nucleic acid dye staining methodology for untreated, heat-treated and chemically inactivated C. parvum oocysts. The nucleic acid staining was compared to in vitro excystation and animal infectivity using split samples of oocysts. Among the nucleic acid stains tested, SYTO-9, hexidium and SYTO-59 stained the oocysts consistently, and the staining was related to the infectivity of the oocysts to neonatal CD-1 mice but not to in vitro excystation. The nucleic acid viability assay was used to determine log-inactivations of the oocysts after treatment with ozone, chlorine, chlorine dioxide and combinations of different chemical disinfectants, and was found to indicate log-inactivation levels similar to that of animal infectivity. A combined immunofluorescence-nucleic acid staining assay was developed for the oocysts of C. parvum and this assay will be invaluable for the detection and viability of oocysts in the laboratory and in environmental samples.