[Cryptosporidium y Giardia in surface water]. / Cryptosporidium y Giardia en aguas superficiales.

The aim of this work was to determine Giardia and Cryptosporidium levels in surface water used either as recreational or drinking water source, and to estimate the relationship with bacteriological and physicochemical parameters determining water quality. This study was carried out during 22 months, in Santa Fe and Santo Tomé cities (Santa Fe Province, Argentina). Cryptosporidium from 100% of the recreational samples (44-2404 oocysts/100 l) and from 92% of water sources (< 20-539 oocysts/100 l) was detected, while Giardia was found in lower concentrations and frequencies: 72% (< 20-670 cysts/100 l) and 31% (< 20-65 cysts/100 l), respectively. Statistically significant relationships were found between these parasites and organic matter, turbidity and bacteriological indicators of contamination (Escherichia coli, streptococci, Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). These relationships, however, vary according to the sampling place, the source and levels of contamination.

Cryptosporidium y Giardia en aguas superficiales / Cryptosporidium y Giardia in surface water

The aim of this work was to determine Giardia and Cryptosporidium levels in surface water used either as recreational or drinking water source, and to estimate the relationship with bacteriological and physicochemical parameters determining water quality. This study was carried out during 22 months, in Santa Fe and Santo TomÚ cities (Santa Fe Province, Argentina). Cryptosporidium from 100 of the recreational samples (44-2404 oocysts/100 l) and from 92 of water sources (< 20-539 oocysts/100 l) was detected, while Giardia was found in lower concentrations and frequencies: 72 (< 20-670 cysts/100 l) and 31 (< 20-65 cysts/100 l), respectively. Statistically significant relationships were found between these parasites and organic matter, turbidity and bacteriological indicators of contamination (Escherichia coli, streptococci, Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). These relationships, however, vary according to the sampling place, the source and levels of contamination.

Detección de Cryptosporidium en agua de consumo de origen subterráneo / Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in drinking water of subterranean origin

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el papel del agua de consumo de origen subterráneo en la transmisión de las enteroparasitosis. Las muestras se obtuvieron de perforaciones y tanques que abastecen a núcleos poblacionales de la provincia de Santa Fe, habiéndose determinado sus parámetros fisicoquímicos y bacteriológicos de calidad. La búsqueda de los parásitos se llevó a cabo mediante filtración, posterior lavado de los filtros con una solución de Tween 80 y concentración del líquido resultante, y exámenes microscópicos en fresco y de colores vitales, permanentes y diferenciales. Se detectaron ooquistes de Cryptosporidium spp. en el agua que abastece a uno de dichos núcleos poblacionales. El examen bacteriológico reveló la presencia de coliformes totales, no habiéndose hallado parámetros químicos de contaminación ni coliformes fecales. Este estudio demuestra que la ausencia de dichos parámetros no es suficiente para descartar la contaminación con ciertos protozoarios, por lo que se sugiere tomar medidas proteccionistas para las fuentes de agua

[Detection of Cryptosporidium in subterranean drinking water]. / Detección de Cryptosporidium en agua de consumo de origen subterráneo.

The objective of the present work has been to determine the role of drinking water of subterranean origin in the transmission of enteroparasitosis. The samples were obtained from wells and tanks supplying population areas in Santa Fe province. The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were all determined. The detection of parasites was carried out by means of filtration, the subsequent washing of the filters with a Tween 80 solution and the concentration of the remaining liquid which was then submitted to microscopic examination. This examination was made for both fresh samples and samples stained with permanent and differential staining techniques. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were found in the water which supplies one of those population areas. The bacteriological examination revealed the presence of total coliforms but neither chemical contamination parameters nor faecalis coliforms were found. We conclude that the absence of the latter is not enough to discard the presence of parasites and that protective measures of the water supply must be implemented.