Escherichia coli, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and sulfite-reducing anaerobic spore formers from different polluted sites in a tropical environment were determined in order to test for their indication ability for fecal contamination. Quantification of E. coli contamination with Chromocult coliform agar proved to be efficient and feasible for determining fecal pollutions in the investigated area within 24 h. The other microbial parameters showed a lower ability to differentiate sites and cannot be recommended for monitoring fecal pollution in the studied tropical surface waters.

cases and 210 controls) were analysed regarding phenotypic characteristics for risk of melanoma as well as number of grandparents born in Europe. European ancestry (Spanish, Italian, Germanic or Slavic, and 2 or more European country), eye colour (light brown and green or blue), presence of nevi, use of sunscreen, referred episodes of sunburn in adolescence or not, were independently associated with melanoma. Portuguese ancestry was not associated in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Our data confirmed the importance of European ancestry as a susceptibility factor. The higher tendency to develop melanoma in persons with those ancestries could be related not only to the phenotypic but probably also to other genetic characteristics. Case-patients for a retrospective epidemiological cum microbiological study in Njoro Town, Kenya were selected after self-report of waterborne illness within 7 days of exposure through drinking water. Controls were matched for location, household income and type of drinking water source. Households with piped water in one highincome district reported considerably lower illness rates compared to unconnected households in two low-income districts. Analysis of the ORs identified water from the stream to be associated with the highest risk of illness (OR¼3.95, p¼0.03) compared to untreated rainwater (OR¼2.45, p¼0.02), untreated water from boreholes (OR¼1.90, p¼0.02) or treated water from any source (OR¼0.62, p¼0.01). Bacteria densities in water obtained from the stream were generally 1e3 log units higher compared to other sources, staying within 3e4 log units for HPC (cfu/ml) and TC (cfu/100 ml), 2e3 log units (cfu/ 100 ml) for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci and within 1 log unit (cfu/100 ml) for Salmonella. Several confounding risk factors other than contaminated water were identified. Their detection for over 50 % of all illness cases was significant. It was concluded that the importance of drinking water quality as the most likely source of endemic waterborne illness in the community may have been previously overestimated. Therefore, interventions on water supply in the town should include strategies that address confounding risk factors, especially, poor hygiene and occupational hazards, as well as piped water distribution to low-income households. Objectives To study the magnitude and determinants of growth faltering among 0e6 year 's children in adopted villages of rural medical college. Material and Methods A total 305 children of <6 years were followed monthly for 1 year to assess the growth faltering. At each visit, the mothers/caretaker of children were interviewed and information regarding immunisation, morbidity profile, dietary history and child feeding practices collected using a pre-tested interview schedule. Monthly anthropometric measurements of child were taken. P2-443 P2-444Growth faltering has been defined as failure to gain weight or actual loss of weight, and weight gain <300 g over a period of three consecutive months. Results The cumulative inc...