The epidemiology of the parasites Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba - The wastewater discharge nexus.
Final Report Abstract
Recently waterborne protozoan parasites have become a subject of importance and challenge to public health worldwide. Animal feces runoff and the disposal of treated and untreated wastewater to surface water lead to contamination of aquatic environment by these parasites. Golden freshwater clams and Zebra mussels are predominant species along the river Rhine. They harbor pathogens by recovering, concentrating and retaining (oo) cysts that initiate infection. To access the recreational water quality and estimate the risk of infection resulting from public consumption of bivalves, mussels were monitored for the presence of Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba. The occurrence of the waterborne pathogens in mussel samples were determined by modified staining techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). There were 61% positive samples for parasites through staining techniques. Molecular characterization revealed Giardia duodenalis assemblage A and B, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis and Entamoeba histolytica spp in both mussels. The prevalence of parasites was higher in Corbicula than in Dreissena. The collected results suggest that there is a risk of contamination of water courses notably those of recreational use by waterborne protozoan and this can be monitored using mussels.
