OCCURENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. IN TREATED WATER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The transmission of waterborne cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Knowledge of Cryptosporidium cases and ways in which to detect the parasite can help with decision making surrounding an appropriate method that is sensitive and inexpensive, in order to identify the risk level of the pathogen's transmission. Thus, by means of a scientific literature review, the Cryptosporidium spp occurrence and the methodologies used for detecting it in treated water were verified. METHODS: Data was identified from a research carried out by PubMed, SciELO, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) and Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Sciences (REPIDISCA), using the following terms: Cryptosporidium and Tap water, Cryptosporidium and Drink water, Cryptosporidium and Treated water, Cryptosporidium and Water supply. Two independent researchers, initially, identified the list of titles and abstracts that were selected to be included or excluded. In the case of disagreement about data extraction between the two assessors, the differences were resolved by consensus or discussion with a third reviewer. Through this review, it was observed that Cryptosporidium spp. is present in treated water in several countries, including Brazil. Among the countries that stood out are Spain and Portugal, since in Brazil there is only a small amount of research published on the matter