Cryptosporidium contamination in surface seawaters in different coastal areas of Thailand: is there any effect from tsunami attack?

Abstract

*Corresponding author: Sora Yasri, KMT Primary Care Center, Bangkok, Thailand. E-mail: sorayasri@outlook.co.th Dear editor, The Cryptosporidium spp. are important protozoa that can be pathogenic for human beings[1,2]. These protozoa can cause diarrhea and contaminate several foods as well as water. These protozoa can be seen worldwide. In tropical world, they are one of presently problematic pathogenic protozoa. In Thailand, these protozoan still cause diseases and has to be controlled[3]. The contamination of the surface seawater with protozoa is interesting. A recent report showed the high contamination rate in sea mussel which is the common seafood of the Thais[4]. Here, the authors tried to assess the reported prevalence of contamination of Cryptosporidium spp. in sea waters from different coastal areas of Thailand. Of interest, there are 2 previous relating reports on this topic[5,6]. The reported rates of contamination range from 6.0% and 12.7% (Figure 1).