:  The persistence of Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Rotavirus, and Adenovirus in samples of raw and treated sewage collected monthly in 2010 at the Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, was analyzed. The USEPA Method 1623 was used to detect and quantify Giardia and Cryptosporidium. An enzyme immunoassay was carried out to test Rotavirus and Adenovirus antigen optical density (Rotascreen® and Adenoscreen®). The results show a significant decrease in the concentrations of Giardia, Rotavirus and Adenovirus (P < 0.05) and a trend of decreasing Cryptosporidium densities, without statistical significance. Giardia concentrations ranged from 120 to 2,200 cysts/L in raw sewage and from 0.45 to 3.5 cysts/L in treated sewage. Cryptosporidium concentration ranged from undetectable to 28.9 oocysts/L in raw sewage and undetectable to 1.05 oocysts/L in treated sewage. Rotavirus presented absorbance values that ranged from 1.17 ± 0.81 in raw sewage to 0.46 ± 0.32 in treated sewage. Adenovirus, in turn, presented absorbance values of 0.64 ± 0.20 in raw sewage and of 0.45 ± 0.04 in treated sewage. There was no significant seasonal tendency observed in the distribution of protozoa (oo)cysts and in the viral antigen density in the monthly sewage samples during 2010 (P > 0.05). Even though these pathogenic agents decreased after treatment, the remaining loads observed in treated sewage can reach the watercourses receiving it. Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Rotavirus, and Adenovirus are pathogens with very low infectious doses, representing a public health risk especially for vulnerable groups, such as children living near these watercourses and homeless people using this water for various purposes. Studies addressing the environmental persistence of opportunistic pathogens in watercourses are hugely important in the public health sphere, especially in developing countries, where economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors still persist that are favorable to population's exposure to diarrhea-causing agents.

Located in the southeast of Brazil, the Pardo River Basin has a large population and an economy focused on agriculture, with a strong predominance of the sugarcane agro-industry. The purpose of the study was to assess the water quality of the Pardo River Basin under a multivariate approach using limnological parameters, metal concentrations, and indicator bacteria. Nine sampling campaigns were performed during both the dry and rainy seasons. Element concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS, Perkin Elmer Elan 6000). A battery of test to determine limnological parameters was performed (in situ). Total coliforms and Escherichia coli were detected and quantified using Defined Substrate Technology Colilert and multiple tube dilutions. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used as multivariate exploratory analysis. In general, the results suggest the influence of rain, possible sewage discharges into the watercourse, and the input of organic matter in some sampling points in both seasons, besides the absence of riparian vegetation in much of the Pardo River. The likely influence of industrial activities that do not have great prominence in the region was supported by temporal/spatial assessment of Cr and V. The water quality monitoring of Pardo River is an important tool for environmental management, and its continuity is indicated to obtain a consistent series of systematic data and thereby support concretely the actions of planning and controlling the use of water from the Pardo River and soil around them.

There is a growing need for strategic assessment of environmental conditions in river basins around the world. In spite of the considerable water resources, Brazil has been suffering from water quality decrease in recent years. Pardo River runs through Minas Gerais and São Paulo, two of the most economically important states in Brazil, and is being currently promoted as a future drinking water source. This study aimed at integrating three different tools to conduct a hydromorphological assessment focused on the spatial complexity, connectivity, and dynamism of the Pardo River, Brazil. Twelve sampling stretches were evaluated in four sampling campaigns, in dry and rainy seasons. In each stretch, permanent preservation areas (PPAs), hydromorphological integrity by rapid assessment protocol (RAP), and physicochemical parameters were qualified. The kappa coefficient was used to assess statistical agreement among monitoring tools. The PPA analysis showed that in all stretches, the vegetation was modified. RAP results revealed environmental deterioration in stretches located near human activities and less variability of substrates available for aquatic fauna and sediment deposition as well. Low values for dissolved oxygen in the river mouth were noted in the rainy season. Electrical conductivity was higher in stretches near sugarcane crops. The poor agreement (k<0.35) between the RAP and physicochemical parameters indicates that the tools generate different and complementary information, while they are not replaceable. Potential changes of the hydromorphological characteristics and variations in physicochemical indicators must be related to extensive PPA modification.

Introduction:The insertion of children in daycare center and pre-schools has been an important device in the current social configuration. However, t he p ermanent l iving i n the daycare center makes the children sickness more frequently when compared to others who remain in more restricted family spaces, especially for enteroparasites. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., emerging and re-emerging opportunistic enteroparasites, and other enteroparasites in faeces samples from children aged 2 to 6 years old of a philanthropic daycare center. Patients and Methods: Thirty-two children participated in the study and the detection of enteroparasites was carried out by the method of Hoffmann, Pons and Janer. Identification o f Cryptosporidium s pp. w as c arried o ut by centrifugal-sedimentation formalin-ether followed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. For confirmation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. the ELISA test (RIDASCREEN®) was used. Results: The prevalence of enteroparasites was 62.5%, with a high frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. (31%) and Giardia spp. (25%). The age most affected by these emerging and re-emerging microorganisms was 3 and 4 years old. Conclusion: From the above, health education processes for families and staff of scholar institutions on the main forms of transmission and prevention of enteroparasitoses are of paramount importance in order to avoid the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in the school environment. Descriptors:Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Cryptosporidium; Giardia; Child. Conflito de interesses:Não Contribuição dos autores: MGPFD, BMF, KAAT, SISM Concepção e planejamento do projeto de pesquisa; Obtenção ou análise/interpretação dos dados; Redação e revisão crítica. FCJ, CFB, CSM Obtenção ou análise/interpretação dos dados; Redação e revisão crítica. GPM, TVS, Redação e revisão crítica Contato para correspondência: Susana Inés Segura-Muñoz