Description
Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are common, ubiquitous intestinal parasitic protozoa that cause gastroenteritis in man and lower animals. Both organisms have a reservoir of host animals and can be spread through fecal contamination of food, water, and fomites. The Cryptosporidium oocyst is a nearly round encysted organism of approximately 3-5 um in diameter, while the Giardia cyst is oval-shaped and measures approximately 8-13 um in length and 7-10 um in width