用于饮用水检测的标准原生动物方法变异性大，重复性低，假阳性和假阴性结果常见。1997年1月，美国环境保护署（EPA）资助了一项研究，以开发并合作测试从水样中回收隐孢子虫的替代方法。新的EPA方法名为方法1622:通过过滤/IMS/IFA测定水中隐孢子虫，通过DAPI/PI测定其生存能力。该方法使用三种过滤方法之一进行样品浓缩。在这项研究中，通过测试不同的洗涤缓冲液配方、洗涤量和洗涤技术来优化过滤方法，试图最大限度地提高卵囊回收率。

The standard protozoan method used for drinking water testing is highly variable, has low reproducibility and false positive and false negative results are common. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded a study, in January 1997, to develop and collaboratively test an alternate method for Cryptosporidium recovery from water samples. The new EPA method is titled Method 1622: Cryptosporidium in Water by Filtration/IMS/IFA and Viability by DAPI/PI. The method uses one of three filtration methods for sample concentration. In this study the filtration methods were optimized by testing different wash buffer formulations, wash volumes and washing techniques to attempt to maximize oocyst recovery.