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

Abstract

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.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites, with emphasis on the molecular epidemiology of Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp., in the Paranaguá Bay, Brazil: a community survey

“…Intriguingly, we could not detect the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the investigated population, even though this pathogen has been previously reported in water intended for irrigation purposes and in raw (but not treated) water for human consumption in the Paraná State [ 48 , 50 ].…”

“…These findings seem to suggest the existence of different contamination sources and transmission pathways among the surveyed communities. In this regard, it would be exciting to investigate further whether differences in the microbiological quality of water sources and raw vegetables for human consumption may explain, at least partially, the observed distribution of protozoan EPs, as water- and food-borne transmission of these pathogens has been suggested in previous studies conducted in the Paraná State [ 48 – 51 ].…”

Organic horticulture: a current demand, whose proper management is the only guarantee of safe food

“…A statistical association between sewage destination and positive results was observed in at least one of the parasitological methods used. The form of sewage destination is of extreme importance so that feces do not contaminate the soil and the source of irrigation water (NEWELL et al, 2010;TIYO et al, 2015). The cesspool is the worse sanitary type compared to the septic tank or septic sump biodigester.…”

Leishmaniose Visceral Canina No Município Do Ipojuca - Pe/Brasil

“…Giardia duodenalis é um dos protozoários mais frequentes que podem causar gastroenterite (TIYO et al, 2015), doença gastrointestinal grave (CURVAL et al, 2017) e diarreia aguda, que pode se cronificar levando à má absorção .…”