Detection of Cryptosporidium using Digital Inline Holographic Microscopy

The parasite Cryptosporidium and along with it the disease Cryptosporidiosis can cause major problems if introduced into a water supply. Not only does Cryptosporidium affect humans but other mammals as well. The EPA rules that Cryptosporidium should be tested when E. coli levels are too high. Sampling for lab testing is then done and if there are signs of a high concentration of Cryptosporidium, the second sample may not be taken until six years later. Not only is that slow but it can be inaccurate and expensive. What is proposed is a digital camera system using Digital Inline Holographic Microscopy (DIHM). By using software reconstruction, particles can be tracked and counted. Since Cryptosporidium are not single celled and can be around 5 micro meters, they are easily detected with the digital microscope even at different depths within a cuvette. As this sensor improves, software could pick up behavior of movement and sizes of particles which could help identify if it is Cryptosporidium. A significant advantage of this technique is requiring parts that cost significantly less than a laboratory test and other potential technologies that may be used today in identifying Cryptosporidium in a water source. Agricultural communities could afford to test water sources for Cryptosporidium and prevent livestock and themselves from falling ill. The sensor is a stellar alternative to current methods in detecting Cryptosporidium