Predominance of Giardia duodenalis Assemblage AII in Fresh Leafy Vegetables from a Market in Southern Brazil.

We investigated the presence of Giardia duodenalis cysts and its genotypes in raw leafy vegetables sold in a Brazilian market. These products are different from those sold in most street markets because the producers themselves display and sell their products and rely on specialized technical and sanitary assistance. Vegetable and water samples were collected from 14 (80%) producers who cultivated vegetables that are typically consumed raw for sale at the market, obtained at the market and farms, respectively. A total of 128 samples of leafy greens (chives, parsley, cabbage, arugula, watercress, and chicory) and 14 water samples were analyzed by direct immunofluorescence and PCR techniques. The positive samples were genotyped (GHD gene) using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The analyses indicated that 16 (12.5%) of 128 samples were positive by PCR, while 1 (0.8%) of 128 samples were positive by immunofluorescence. Giardia cysts were not detected in the water samples obtained at the farms. The molecular technique revealed a genotype with zoonotic potential, which underscores the challenge in the control of giardiasis dissemination via the consumption of raw vegetables.

WATER FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES USED FOR THE IRRIGATION OF VEGETABLES TO BE MARKETED: RESEARCH ON Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., AND COLIFORMS IN PARANA, BRAZIL.

The aim of this work was to compare, from a parasitological ( Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis), bacteriological (total and thermotolerants coliforms) and physicochemical perspective, water sources used for drinking and irrigation of vegetables intended to be sold for human consumption. From January 2010 to May 2011, samples of different water sources from vegetable producing properties were collected; 100 liters for parasitological analysis, 200 mL for bacteriological analysis, and five liters for physicochemical analysis. Water samples were filtered under vacuum with a kit containing a cellulose acetate membrane filter, 1.2 µm (Millipore(r), Barueri, SP, Brazil). The material retained on the membrane was mechanically extracted and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor(r)kit). From 20 rural properties investigated, 10 had artesian wells (40 samples), 10 had common wells (40 samples), and one had a mine (four samples), the latter contaminated by Cryptosporidium spp. In samples from artesian wells, 90 to 130 meters depth, 42.5% were positive for total coliforms and 5.0% were identified to have abnormal coloration. From the samples of common wells, 14 to 37 meters depth, 87.5% were contaminated with total coliforms, 82.5% were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and 12.5% had color abnormalities. We did not detect the presence of Giardia spp. or Cryptosporidium spp. in artesian and common wells. The use of artesian or common wells is an important step in the control of the spreading of zoonoses, particularly Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., as well as artesian wells for coliform control in local production of vegetables to be marketed.

Water from different sources used for the irrigation of vegetables to be marketed: research on Cryptosporidiumspp, giardiaspp, and Coliforms in Parana, Brazil / Água de diferentes fontes utilizadas na irrigação de hortaliças comercializadas: pesquisa de Cryptosporidiumspp, giardiaspp, e coliformes, Paraná, Brasil

SUMMARYThe aim of this work was to compare, from a parasitological ( Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardia duodenalis), bacteriological (total and thermotolerants coliforms) and physicochemical perspective, water sources used for drinking and irrigation of vegetables intended to be sold for human consumption. From January 2010 to May 2011, samples of different water sources from vegetable producing properties were collected; 100 liters for parasitological analysis, 200 mL for bacteriological analysis, and five liters for physicochemical analysis. Water samples were filtered under vacuum with a kit containing a cellulose acetate membrane filter, 1.2 µm (Millipore(r), Barueri, SP, Brazil). The material retained on the membrane was mechanically extracted and analyzed by direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor(r)kit). From 20 rural properties investigated, 10 had artesian wells (40 samples), 10 had common wells (40 samples), and one had a mine (four samples), the latter contaminated by Cryptosporidiumspp. In samples from artesian wells, 90 to 130 meters depth, 42.5% were positive for total coliforms and 5.0% were identified to have abnormal coloration. From the samples of common wells, 14 to 37 meters depth, 87.5% were contaminated with total coliforms, 82.5% were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and 12.5% had color abnormalities. We did not detect the presence of Giardiaspp. or Cryptosporidiumspp. in artesian and common wells. The use of artesian or common wells is an important step in the control of the spreading of zoonoses, particularly Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardiaspp., as well as artesian wells for coliform control in local production of vegetables to be marketed.

RESUMOO objetivo do estudo foi investigar fontes de água utilizadas para consumo e irrigação de hortaliças a serem comercializadas sob o aspecto parasitológico ( Cryptosporidiumspp. e Giardia duodenalis), bacteriológico (coliformes totais e termotolerantes) e físico-químico. De janeiro de 2010 a maio de 2011 foram coletadas amostras de água de diferentes fontes de abastecimento de propriedades produtoras de hortaliças; 100 litros para análise parasitológica, 200 mL para bacteriológica e cinco litros para análise físico-química. As amostras de água foram filtradas a vácuo com um kit de filtragem contendo uma membrana de acetato de celulose, 1,2 µm, (Millipore(r), Barueri, São Paulo, Brasil). O material retido na membrana foi extraído mecanicamente e analisado por imunofluorescência direta (kit Merifluor(r)). De 20 propriedades rurais, 10 tinham poços artesianos (40 amostras), 10 semi-artesianos (40 amostras) e um possuía uma mina (quatro amostras). Esta última contaminada por Cryptosporidiumspp. Das amostras de poços artesianos com 90 a 130 metros de profundidade, 42,5% foram positivas para coliformes totais e 5,0% apresentavam coloração alterada. Em amostras de poços semi-artesianos com 14 a 37 m de profundidade, 87,5% apresentaram coliformes totais, 82,5% termotolerantes, e 12,5% destas amostras tinham alteração de cor. Não foi detectada a presença de Giardiaspp. e Cryptosporidiumspp. em poços artesianos ou semi-artesianos. A utilização de poços artesianos ou semi artesianos constitui importante medida no controle da disseminação de zoonoses, principalmente Cryptosporidiumspp. e Giardiaspp., assim como de poços artesianos para o controle de coliformes, em locais de produção de hortaliças irrigadas, a serem comercializadas.

Identification of public areas with potential toxocariasis transmission risk using geographical information systems.

UNLABELLED: Geographic information system (GIS) or Health geography is a geographical identification of the spatial variation of contagion disease and zoonosis risk in certain conditions. OBJECTIVE: Comparing the variation of environmental contamination of Toxocara spp. sands of lawns and public areas through the Geographic Information System. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Were investigated 98% of Parana recreational urban areas such as, schools, public parks and squares filled with sand and/or lawn. Samples were analyzed using zinc sulphate solution centrifuge-flotation, density 1.420, and water sedimentation. Maps were developed by ESRI Arc GIS 9.2. RESULTS: Total 77/98 (78,6%) of public spaces shown Toxocara spp. eggs presence. No significant difference was observed (p = 0,9999) between eggs prevalence in sand 44/56 (78,6%), and lawn 33/42 (78,6%), at school (p = 0,6898) and squares (p = 0,0616). Egg contamination prevailed in periphery areas in the sand 20/27 (74%) and lawn 18/21 (86%). However, no significant difference was observed between sand and lawn contamination from schools and parks to central and peripheral areas. Although schools 62/66 (93,9%) presented a higher number of enclosed spaces, did not provide a lower frequency of pollution (p = 0,3327). CONCLUSION: GIS observed a scattered pattern of zoonosis among schools and public squares sand and lawns, with predominance of contamination in the peripheral areas with presence of dogs/cats.