Comparative Evaluation of Commercial Filters and Ultrafiltration for Concentrating Cryptosporidium Oocysts and Giardia Cysts from Water Samples

Abstract This review of literature analyses the effectiveness of three commercially available filters, namely the Pall Envirochek filters, IDEXX FiltaMax, and Whatman flatbed membrane, in the process of concentrating Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts from water samples. Moreover, several research studies investigated the possibility of using ultrafiltration filters as an affordable substitute for pathogen concentration, and their efficacy for protozoa is reviewed here and compared against the existing commercial filter options. Because of the differences in sampling procedures, no one method for concentrating these protozoa consistently outperforms others. This comparative article summarises our current understanding of the recent water sampling techniques to concentrate waterborne protozoans and highlights the remaining knowledge gaps. While ultrafiltration is a financially practical alternative for the concentration of pathogens, this paper highlights that further investigation is required to optimise their efficacy, particularly for low numbers of oocysts and cysts. These insights play a substantial role in providing information for advancing enhanced water sampling and treatment systems, reducing the dangers connected with waterborne protozoans, and ensuring the protection of public health.