Cryptosporidium In Surface Water Research Articles

Unveiling the Dynamics of Cryptosporidium in Urban Surface Water: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment and Insights into Climatic and Seasonal Influences

In response to global urbanization and economic development, urban surface water pollution has become a universal challenge and particularly affects densely populated megacities, and Dhaka is no exception. The discharge of 98% of untreated domestic sewage and massive volumes of industrial wastewater from over 7000 industries escalate surface water crises. This study investigates microbial and fecal contamination with particular emphasis on Cryptosporidium in surface water, known for causing waterborne diseases, such as cryptosporidiosis. Findings reveal high Cryptosporidium oocyst concentrations and fecal contamination in various water bodies in Dhaka City. Among the investigated water bodies, the Buriganga River exhibits the highest Cryptosporidium oocyst concentration (46%), while the Balu River, Turag River, Shitalakkhya River, Dhanmondi Lake, Gulshan Lake, Banani Lake, Ramna Lake, and Crescent Lake also present high levels of oocyst concentrations ranging from 21–40%. This study also calculated infection risks and found that the infection risk of swimming is highest during the wet season and is (3.9 ± 2.2 (95% CI: 3.0–5.0)) × 10−2 per swimming event, whereas it is approximately (2.4 ± 1.9 (95% CI: 1.6–3.3)) × 10−2 during the dry season. Annual diving risks are approximately (1.2 ± 0.6 (95% CI: 0.9–1.4)) × 10−2, indicating considerably high risks. Most of the sampling sites generally show significantly higher risks than other study areas like the Mymensingh and Kushtia Districts. In light of these results, we strongly recommend immediate measures to address water quality issues and mitigate the risks associated with Cryptosporidium contamination in Dhaka’s surface water.

Quantification of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in surface water: a risk assessment and molecular characterization

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the annual probability of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infection for a population supplied by contaminated drinking water sources. Parasites were quantified by the USEPA Method 1623.1/2012. Annual risk was estimated using the quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach. Genotyping was performed using specific primers based on the 18S rRNA gene for Cryptosporidium and gdh gene for Giardia. Giardia was detected in 83.3% of the samples (<0.1 to 8.6 cysts/L) and Cryptosporidium in 37.5% (<0.1 to 2 oocysts/L). In general, annual risk values for Giardia were 1 log higher when compared with those obtained for Cryptosporidium. Giardia intestinalis A and B were present as well as C. hominis and C. parvum. The lack of protection measures for the water supply catchment point put the population's health at risk. The results provide data to support decision-makers to take actions to improve environmental quality resulting in a positive impact on consumers' health.

Understanding human infectious Cryptosporidium risk in drinking water supply catchments

Treating drinking water appropriately depends, in part, on the robustness of source water quality risk assessments, however quantifying the proportion of infectious, human pathogenic Cryptosporidium oocysts remains a significant challenge. We analysed 962 source water samples across nine locations to profile the occurrence, rate and timing of infectious, human pathogenic Cryptosporidium in surface waters entering drinking water reservoirs during rainfall-runoff conditions. At the catchment level, average infectivity over the four-year study period reached 18%; however, most locations averaged <5%. The maximum recorded infectivity fraction within a single rainfall runoff event was 65.4%, and was dominated by C. parvum. Twenty-two Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified using PCR-based molecular techniques; the most common being C. parvum, detected in 23% of water samples. Associations between landuse and livestock stocking characteristics with Cryptosporidium were determined using a linear mixed-effects model. The concentration of pathogens in water were significantly influenced by flow and dominance of land-use by commercial grazing properties (as opposed to lifestyle properties) in the catchment (p < 0.01). Inclusion of measured infectivity and human pathogenicity data into a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) could reduce the source water treatment requirements by up to 2.67 log removal values, depending on the catchment, and demonstrated the potential benefit of collating such data for QMRAs.

Modelling the impact of sanitation, population growth and urbanization on human emissions of Cryptosporidium to surface waters—a case study for Bangladesh and India

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that can cause diarrhoea. Human faeces are an important source of Cryptosporidium in surface waters. We present a model to study the impact of sanitation, urbanization and population growth on human emissions of Cryptosporidium to surface waters. We build on a global model by Hofstra et al (2013 Sci. Total Environ. 442 10–9) and zoom into Bangladesh and India as illustrative case studies. The model is most sensitive to changes in oocyst excretion and infection rate, and to assumptions on the share of faeces reaching the surface water for different sanitation types. We find urban centres to be hotspots of human Cryptosporidium emissions. We estimate that 53% (Bangladesh) and 91% (India) of total emissions come from urban areas. 50% of oocysts come from only 8% (Bangladesh) and 3% (India) of the country area. In the future, population growth and urbanization may further deteriorate water quality in Bangladesh and India, despite improved sanitation. Under our ‘business as usual’ (‘sanitation improvements’) scenario, oocyst emissions will increase by a factor 2.0 (1.2) for India and 2.9 (1.1) for Bangladesh between 2010 and 2050. Population growth, urbanization and sanitation development are important processes to consider for large scale water quality modelling.

GiardiaandCryptosporidiumon Dairy Farms and the Role these Farms May Play in Contaminating Water Sources inPrinceEdwardIsland,Canada

Cattle represent a reservoir for Giardia and Cryptosporidium and may contaminate water sources. To determine the distribution of Cryptosporidium and Giardia on dairy farms and in water bodies near the farms. FARMS AND WATER SOURCES: Twenty dairy farms and 20 wells and 13 surface water samples associated with dairy farms. Proportions of samples positive for Cryptosporidium or Giardia were determined by a direct immunofluorescence assay. Fecal and water samples were taken at different times. Thirty-two (95% CI: 29-35%) and 14% (95% CI: 12-17%) of fecal samples, and 100 (95% CI: 96-100) and 55% (95% CI: 32-77%) of herds, were positive for Giardia and Cryptosporidium, respectively. Giardia duodenalis assemblage E was detected in high proportions (90%) of fecal samples. Cryptosporidium bovis predominated (51%) in all cattle. C. andersoni predominated in adult cattle (53%), whereas the predominant species in animals < 2 months and 2-6 months was C. bovis, respectively. Only calves < 2 months of age were positive for C. parvum. In 46% (95% CI: 19-75%) and 85% (95% CI: 55-98%) of surface water, concentrations of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts were higher in downstream, than in upstream, locations of farms, whereas only 1 groundwater sample was positive for Cryptosporidium. This sample of dairy cattle was predominantly infected with nonzoonotic species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, or both. More studies are needed to determine if the presence of Giardia or Cryptosporidium in surface water was associated with shedding in animals from nearby farms.

Is E. Coli an appropriate surrogate for Cryptosporidium occurrence in water?

This study evaluated the validity of monitoring for Escherichia coli in lieu of Cryptosporidium to assess the vulnerability of source waters to the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Over a period of seven years, four large water systems in Utah collected Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and turbidity data from seven water treatment plants that treat both reservoir and stream sources. The data represented analyses completed by two US Environmental Protection Agency‐approved protozoan laboratories and local state‐certified laboratories for E. coli. Results of the statistical analyses indicated poor correlation between Crypto sporidium and E. coli and between Cryptosporidium and turbidity in all monitored water sources throughout the entire monitoring period. The analyses indicate that elevated concentrations of E. coli are not indicative of the presence of Cryptosporidium in surface water. Both E. coli and turbidity are poor surrogates for occurrence of Cryptosporidium at treatment plant intakes. Further investigation is needed to establish appropriate surrogates for Cryptosporidium occurrence.

Influence of land use and watershed characteristics on protozoa contamination in a potential drinking water resources reservoir

Relative changes in the microbial quality of Lake Texoma, on the border of Texas and Oklahoma, were investigated by monitoring protozoan pathogens, fecal indicators, and factors influencing the intensity of the microbiological contamination of surface water reservoirs. The watershed serves rural agricultural communities active in cattle ranching, recreation, and is a potential drinking water source. A total of 193 surface water samples were tested over a 27-month period to determine levels of parasite contamination. The overall occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was higher in both frequency and concentration than Giardia cysts. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 99% and Giardia cysts in 87% of the samples. Although Cryptosporidium and Giardia occurrence were significantly but not strongly correlated, all other correlation coefficients including turbidity and total dissolved solids were non-significant. Statistically supportable seasonal variations were found suggesting that Cryptosporidium and Giardia were higher in summer and fall than in other seasons of the year. While Cryptosporidium levels were correlated with rainfall, this was not the case with Giardia. The maximum numbers for both protozoan parasites were detected from a site impacted by cattle ranching during calving season. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used for confirmation of Cryptosporidium in surface waters influenced by agricultural discharges. As we had expected, oocysts were of the bovine type indicating that the Cryptosporidium parvum detected in surface waters perhaps came from cattle living in the watershed.

A review of the existing methods for detection, enumeration and inactivation of Cryptosporidium in surface waters

Assessing the microbiological quality of water for human consumption and/or recreational purposes has been a major concern for water authorities and public health officials for many years. To maintain the health and welfare of water consumers and to ensure public confidence in the water authorities, vigilant monitoring of source and treated water supplies must be undertaken. Part of the requirements for achieving optimal water quality requires the use of highly sensitive, reproducible and reliable microbiological assays to detect the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and their abundances in surface waters. This review paper examined the current detection and enumeration methods for Cryptosporidium in water samples. Attempts have also been made to evaluate the current epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in relation to water borne outbreaks.

UV EXPERIENCE FOR INACTIVATING CRYPTOSPORIDIUM IN SURFACE WATER PLANTS

UV EXPERIENCE FOR INACTIVATING CRYPTOSPORIDIUM IN SURFACE WATER PLANTSThe disinfection of pathogenic microbes in drinking water has been largely successful over the last century due to the use of chlorination. However, research conducted in the 1970's revealed that by-products formed during the chlorination process are potentially carcinogenic and that there is a direct correlation between the concentration of chlorination by-products and the probability of certain...Author(s)Daniel BrooksGary Van StoneWayne LemSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 5 -- Drinking Water 1Document typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2001ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20010101)2001:6L.331;1-DOI10.2175/193864701784291848Volume / Issue2001 / 6Content sourceWEFTEC Latin AmericaFirst / last page(s)331 - 344Copyright2001Word count104

A Framework for Modeling the Fate and Transport of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Surface Waters

ABSTRACT The feasibility of modeling the environmental fate and transport of cysts and oocysts of the protozoan pathogens Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. in surface waters is examined. A kinetic and modeling framework successfully applied for fecal bacteria is considered for this application. The model utilizes a mass balance approach and accommodates inputs from tributary loads and sediment resuspension, losses to sedimentation and inactivation and mass transport. Recommendations are provided for the design of a program of field monitoring and experimental studies which would support model development. Requirements for model application are considered within the context of Cannonsville Reservoir, a component of the New York City drinking water supply system.

The presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in surface waters and effluents in Israel

During a period of 9 months (May 1995-January 1996), various environmental sources were investigated for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Israel. Out of 15 samples from five streams, 12 were positive for Cryptosporidium (80%) with an average concentration of 0.04–1.9 oocysts/l and 8 were positive for Giardia (53.3%) with 0.05–0.78 cysts/l. Two springs were also tested and found positive for Cryptosporidium and (0.54 oocysts/l) only. The main drinking water reservoir of Israel, Lake Kineret, was also sampled 6 times at two sites. Cryptosporidium was isolated in 4/6 samples (66.6%) at an average concentration of 0.3–1.09 oocysts/l while Giardia was present in 5/6 samples (83.3%), 0.135–16.2 cysts/l. Drinking water entering a filtration pilot plant was also tested and found positive for Cryptosporidium in 23/35 samples (0–317 oocysts/l) and 8/35 for Giardia (0–16.7 cysts/l). In order to evaluate some potential inputs of contamination of the drinking water sources, two possible contributors were tested: domestic sewage and cowshed effluents. In sewage effluents, 3/3 samples were positive for both Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The oocysts and cysts were present at 8.3–8.05/l and 5–27.3/l respectively. In cowshed effluents, 1/6 samples was positive for Cryptosporidium at a high concentration (3,630 oocysts/l) but no Giardia cysts were found. The levels of Cryptosporidium and Giardia oocysts and cysts isolated from these environmental samples may present a public health hazard although no major outbreaks have so far been reported in Israel.

The presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in surface waters and effluents in Israel

During a period of 9 months (May 1995–January 1996), various environmental sources were investigated for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Israel. Out of 15 samples from five streams, 12 were positive for Cryptosporidium (80%) with an average concentration of 0.04–1.9 oocysts/l and 8 were positive for Giardia (53.3%) with 0.05–0.78 cysts/l. Two springs were also tested and found positive for Cryptosporidium and (0.54 oocysts/l) only. The main drinking water reservoir of Israel, Lake Kineret, was also sampled 6 times at two sites. Cryptosporidium was isolated in 4/6 samples (66.6%) at an average concentration of 0.3–1.09 oocysts/l while Giardia was present in 5/6 samples (83.3%), 0.135–16.2 cysts/l. Drinking water entering a filtration pilot plant was also tested and found positive for Cryptosporidium in 23/35 samples (0–317 oocysts/l) and 8/35 for Giardia (0–16.7 cysts/l). In order to evaluate some potential inputs of contamination of the drinking water sources, two possible contributors were tested: domestic sewage and cowshed effluents. In sewage effluents, 3/3 samples were positive for both Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The oocysts and cysts were present at 8.3–8.05/l and 5–27.3/l respectively. In cowshed effluents, 1/6 samples was positive for Cryptosporidium at a high concentration (3,630 oocysts/l) but no Giardia cysts were found. The levels of Cryptosporidium and Giardia oocysts and cysts isolated from these environmental samples may present a public health hazard although no major outbreaks have so far been reported in Israel.