Abstract
Little is known about the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in recreational water in China. A total of 52 samples were collected from recreational lakes in Tianjin during a high-occurrence season (June–October) for the waterborne cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, and the occurrence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were investigated. The results showed that 82.7% (43) and 98.1% (51) of samples were positive for Cryptosporidium oocyst and Giardia cysts, respectively. The mean concentration of parasites was 3.65 oocysts/10 L and 12.58 cysts/10 L, respectively. Molecular characterization revealed that the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum, C. andersoni, C. hominis, C. meleagridis, C. fragile, C. ubiquitum, and Giardia lamblia assemblage A, B and D. The protozoan contamination in the studied lakes may originate from animal feces on ground, which was washed into the lake by stormwater runoff. Nevertheless, there is a potential risk of infection during recreational activities in the lake because the dominant detected protozoan genotypes are common human pathogens. Moreover, microbial indicators analysis does not adequately indicate the protozoan contamination in recreational water. The information from this study will be valuable for future protozoan source tracking, and any further control interventions against Cryptosporidium and/or Giardia infection associated with recreational water.
Highlights
Recreational water has been well documented through outbreaks and epidemiologic studies as a transmission vehicle for pathogens[1]
In the most populous developing country, China, the existence of human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis has been confirmed by a number of epidemiological investigations[6,7,8], but only one cryptosporidiosis outbreak, which occurred in a pediatric hospital, has so far been reported[2,9]
More and more people in China are involved in water-related activities. It is urgent for the protection of public health to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in recreational water
Summary
Recreational water has been well documented through outbreaks and epidemiologic studies as a transmission vehicle for pathogens[1]. In the most populous developing country, China, the existence of human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis has been confirmed by a number of epidemiological investigations[6,7,8], but only one cryptosporidiosis outbreak, which occurred in a pediatric hospital, has so far been reported[2,9]. This could be a picture of underreporting, as neither of the parasites is listed as a routine inspection item for diarrhea cases in the country. The present preliminary survey is believed to be the first attempt to simultaneously detect and genotype the oocyst of Cryptosporidium and cyst of Giardia in recreational water in China, and will be helpful for the identification of public health risk and taking appropriate preventative measures
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