Abstract |
In the early 1970's, when giardiasis began to be recognized as an important waterborne disease, the understanding of the effects of disinfectants on the cysts of the etiologic agent, Giardia lamblia, was extremely limited. The results of more recent studies, using improved methods for determining cyst viability indicate that Giardia cysts are more resistant to inactivation by drinking water disinfectants than other waterborne bacterial and viral pathogens but are not as highly resistant as indicated by earlier studies. The data now available indicate that rigorously controlled disinfection practices are essential in preventing waterborne transmission of giardiasis. |