Abstract
The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of ozonated water treatment on the viability of Eimeria oocysts and Giardia cysts isolated from naturally infected water buffaloes. Eimeria oocysts were divided into seven groups of six replicates that were treated with ozonated water at three ozone concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/L) and two contact times (five and ten minutes), and one group (negative control) that was exposed to non-treated water. Giardia cysts were divided into nine groups of six replicates and were treated with ozonated water at four ozone concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) and two contact times (one and two minutes), while one group (negative control) was exposed to non-treated water. The results of the ozonated water treatment gave a 33% inhibition of the sporulation of Eimeria oocysts and rendered 96.3% of Giardia cysts non-viable, suggesting that ozonated water treatment could be a promising alternative sanitation technology to common conventional disinfectants for reducing intestinal protozoa infections in water buffaloes; though further in vitro and in vivo tests are needed.
Highlights
Dairy water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farming plays an important role in the economy of several countries, including Italy, as their milk is almost exclusively used for the production of-mozzarella-cheese [1,2]
Eimeria oocysts and Giardia cysts were recovered from fecal samples collected from naturally infected water buffalo calves (1–4 months), on a farm located in southern Italy with a known history of protozoa infections
This proof of concept study was the first attempt to evaluate the in vitro effectiveness of ozonated water treatment on the viability of Eimeria spp. oocysts and G. duodenalis cysts isolated from water buffaloes
Summary
Dairy water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farming plays an important role in the economy of several countries, including Italy, as their milk is almost exclusively used for the production of-mozzarella-cheese [1,2]. The infection of water buffaloes with intestinal protozoa, such as Giardia and Eimeria, threatens the profitability and sustainability of milk production [3,4,5]. These parasites are the leading cause of neonatal diarrhea, with negative impacts on the growth performance of buffalo calves, resulting in economic losses [6,7]. Water buffaloes acquire Eimeria infections soon after birth, and severe outbreaks can occur, resulting in morbidity and mortality regardless of the management system (intensive, semi-intensive, or extensive) of the water buffalo farm. Infection by Giardia duodenalis is a public health concern, because of the potential zoonotic transmission to humans [10]
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