| Summary: | Seven species in the phylum Microspora infect humans; four predominantly those patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The number of documented infections in immunocompetent persons grows annually. Microsporidia are obligate, intracellular parasites that produce environmentally resistant spores. These spores are shed in feces and urine, making waterborne transmission possible. This work reports occurrence data for human infectious microsporidia species in environmental waters. Polypropylene-fiber cartridge filters (1DPPPY) of a nominal porosity of 1 micron (um) along with a modified Information Collection Rule protocol were used in the collection, elution, sample concentration, flotation, and analysis of surface water, groundwater, and wastewater samples. Fluorescently labeled, Encephalitozoon species-specific polyclonal antibodies were used to detect presumptive spores present in 46 samples. Overall, 12 samples were positive: 4 groundwater, 2 surface water, and 6 wastewater.
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