Abstract

DETECTION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. OOCYSTS AND GIARDIA SPP. CYSTS IN THE WATER OF THE ITABAPOANA RIVER AND IN THE SUPPLY WATER OF THE CITY OF BOM JESUS DO ITABAPOANA, PROVINCE OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Pedro Henrique Pinheiro Medeiros, Lucas Pimentel do Canto, Alcemar Antonio Lopes de Matos, Maria de Lourdes Ferreira Medeiros de Matos, Fernanda Castro Manhães, Bianca Magnelli Mangiavacchi and Antonio Neres Norberg*

ABSTRACT

The etiological agents of waterborne diseases are one of the most important public health problems in many countries around the world. Species of the genera Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. have structures that are resistant to conventional water treatment and can cause serious morbidity, mainly in immunocompromised people. This research aims to investigate oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. and cysts of Giardia spp. in water samples from the Itabapoana river before and after water treatment. Twelve water samples were collected from frou different points of the river and four samples from different locations of the water supply system. The spontaneous sedimentation technique was used for all water sample to obtain the sediment. Slide-coverslip technique was used for the search of cysts of Giardia spp. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was used for the search for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The result demonstrated the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in all sewage samples and in all samples collected in the river near the water treatment plant. Samples collected from running water under the bridge were negative for cysts and oocysts of protozoa. Water samples after treatment (in the supply water system) were also negative for the mentioned protozoa. We concluded that the water of the Itabapoana River is contaminated with oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. and cysts of Giardia spp. through the discharge of sewage. Although no cysts or oocysts were found in drinking water of the water supply system, population should be advised to avoid the use of the river water for bathing, swimming and for irrigation of vegetables consumed raw.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Enteroparasitoses, Protozooses, Water contamination.