Thermotolerant Coliform Levels Research Articles

Erythrocyte Recovery in Oreochromis niloticus Fish Exposed to Urban Effluents.

Urban activities pollute aquatic ecosystems, and the integrity of organisms such as fish. The use of cytological techniques, such as the analysis of blood cellular integrity using the Micronucleus test, can help detect mutagenic damage as a result to urban effluents exposure. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the frequency of micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities in Oreochromis niloticus fish environmentally exposed to urban effluents in relation to their erythrocyte recovery capacity when exposed to clean water (30 and 45days). The results indicated high copper, dissolved iron, nickel, and thermotolerant coliform levels in the urban stream. There was no difference in the frequency of micronuclei. In contrast, cells with nuclear nuclei, binucleates, kidney-shaped nuclei, notched nuclei, lobed nuclei, and segmented nuclei decreased according to the time the fish were exposed to clean water. When exposed to clean water, we conclude that urban fish recover from genotoxic and cytotoxic damage.

Risk assessment of Sanitation and water Infrastructure in informal settlements of Kisumu: Implications for Hygiene and Public Health

Risk assessment encompasses assessment and reporting of the potential harm, danger and health concerns arising from the use or contact with potentially harmful materials or substance. In the context of urban sanitation and water, risk assessment may involve the assessment of the likely harm arising from the use of unprotected or unimproved water and sanitation facilities and likelihood of injuries that such facilities may exert on the community. Urban informal settlements, which remain the face of urban vulnerability in most developing countries, are dominated by unprotected sanitation facilities and water sources which have subsequently exacerbated the urban social and health vulnerabilities and risks. This article assessed risks from sanitation and water infrastructure in urban informal settlements and their implications on community hygiene and public health using the case study from Kisumu City, Kenya. The article is based on data collected using a modified WASHFIT risk assessment tool developed by the WHO. One hundred and fourteen water sources and 460 sanitation facilities were covered by the study. Findings from the study revealed that 87% of water sources studied were shared by multiple households, while 65% and were unprotected. Some improvements had been undertaken in only less than 20% of sanitation facilities, with large proportion accounting for the ventilated improved pit latrine type. The remaining more than one fifth or 80% of the facilities were poorly constructed traditional pit latrines. Water quality findings revealed that nitrate and thermotolerant coliform levels were higher across most water sources and beyond the minimum recommended thresholds by WHO drinking water standards. On the risk assessment scale, 67% of water sources and 70% sanitation facilities were categorised as “risky” respectively.

Determination of pathogens and contamination indicators in fresh pork sausages in the state of São Paulo

The highest cost of beef and chicken meat justifies higher consumption of fresh sausage products, especially linguiça, due to their easy preparation and affordability for consumers, making necessary an evaluation of sanitary hygienic conditions of these products. The objective was to investigate the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella spp., coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter spp. in artisanal and inspected fresh pork sausages. It was found that 12% (6/50) of the artisanal sausage samples were contaminated with Salmonella spp., 58% (29/50) presented coagulase-positive Staphylococcus levels above the acceptable limits for consumption and 76% (38/50) presented thermotolerant coliform levels above the acceptable limits. In sausage samples produced under inspected conditions, 6% (3/50) were contaminated with Salmonella spp., 24% (12/50) presented thermotolerant coliform levels above the acceptable limits, 2% (1/50) presented enteropathogenic E. coli. None samples showed coagulase-positive Staphylococcus counts above the limits, or presence of Campylobacter spp. Sensitizing traders and consumers about the importance of inspection service in food of animal origin is urgent for a sanitary acceptable production, since foodborne diseases continue to be a public health problem.

Molecular changes in oysters Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) from aquaculture areas of Santa Catarina Island bays (Florianópolis, Brazil) reveal anthropogenic effects

Anthropogenic activities in coastal regions cause risks to the environmental and human health. Due to the carcinogenic and mutagenic potential, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered priority for monitoring. Most of the Brazilian production of Crassostrea gigas oysters are placed in the Bays of Santa Catarina Island. The aim of this study was to evaluate molecular responses (phase I and II of biotransformation and antioxidant defense) of C. gigas from six oyster farming areas potentially contaminated by sanitary sewage in Florianópolis Metropolitan (SC, Brazil): Santo Antônio de Lisboa, Sambaqui, Serraria, Caieira, Tapera, Imaruim. We evaluated the transcript levels of CYP1A1-like, CYP2-like, CYP2AU2-like, CYP356A1, GSTA1A-like, GSTO.4A-like, SULT-like, SOD-like and CAT-like by qRT-PCR. Only oysters from Caieira showed levels of thermotolerant coliforms allowed by the law. Chemicals analyses in soft tissues of oysters showed low to average levels of PAH in all monitored areas. Enhanced transcript levels of phase I (CYP1A1-like, CYP3564A1-like, CYP2-like and CYP2AU2-like) were observed in oysters from Serraria and Imaruí, suggesting higher biotransformation activity in these farming areas. Regarding phase II of biotransformation, GSTO.4A-like was up-regulated in oysters from Imaruí compared to Caieira and Santo Antônio de Lisboa. An upregulation of SOD-like and CAT-like were observed in oysters from Imaruí and Serraria, suggesting that oysters from these sites are facing higher prooxidant conditions compared to other areas. By integrating the biological and chemical data it is suggested that human-derived contaminants are affecting the oyster metabolism in some farming areas.

Evaluation of Health Risks Related to the Consumption of Fish from the Guéssabo River

Fish is rich in essential nutrients but can remain a potential source of food poisoning. A study was, therefore, carried out with the general objective of highlighting the probable biological and chemical dangers associated with the consumption of fish and freshwater fruits from the Guéssabo river. The present study was conducted on 50 carp fish, 50 mackerel fish, 50 frogs and 50 mollusks caught in the Guéssabo River. Microorganisms were enumerated by conventional tests and heavy metals were investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. The enumeration showed high levels of thermotolerant Coliforms (2.5 × 104), Enterobacteriaceae (3.4 × 104), S. aureus (2.3 × 103) and Yeast/Molds (2.1 × 104), in all samples the standards were not in conformity with the required standards. High levels of Al (7230 μg/kg) and Cd (21.57 μg/kg) were observed in carp fish and these values are above the standard. In conclusion, the fish caught in the Guéssabo River could be a health risk factor for the consumer.

Microbiological quality evaluation of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H. B. K.) almond marketed in open markets in the Amazon

The present study aimed to investigative the micrbiological quality of Brazil nuts sold in open markets in the city of Macapá-AP. Samples of fresh almonds were collected at 3 open markets in Macapá from September to October 2018. Microbiological analyzes for thermotolerant coliforms and Salmonella sp were performed according to procedures described by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) 62, of August 26, 2003 and the results compared with RDC nº 12, of January 2, 2001. The results showed the presence of levels of thermotolerant coliforms above the limits established by the legislation in at least one sample of each evaluated fair, being presence of Salmonella sp. The analysis results indicate that all fairs presented unsatisfactory samples, corresponding to 33,33% of the total in fairs I and III and 66,67% at fair II. Therefore, the analyzes point to the need to intensify sanitary inspection, as well as to devise more effective actions to guide and sensitize marketers to adopt good practices in handling this Amazonian delicacy.

Adapting the EPIK method to Brazilian Hydro(geo)logical context of the São Miguel watershed to assess karstic aquifer vulnerability to contamination

Karst aquifers are, besides important strategic reservoirs of good quality water, heterogeneous and anisotropic, where highly permeable karst networks result in insufficient time for contaminant degradations, and hence the quasi-immediate contamination of the aquifer. The EPIK method is a low-cost technique and was developed to map karst regions based on four main feature indexes: 1) epikarst; 2) protective cover; 3) infiltration conditions; and 4) karst network development. However, the method was developed according to European hydrogeologic and temperate climatic contexts, where its application without adaptations in regions in different contexts may result in possible misunderstandings, such as overlook, underestimate or overestimate significances of some parameters (e.g. soil covers, rainfall regimes, morphological domains). The Brazilian São Miguel watershed, a tropical karst region where the city of Pains is located (southwestern Minas Gerais), is characterized by high levels of thermotolerant coliforms, phosphorus, nitrate, and cadmium in surface water and groundwater. These contaminants come from, agriculture, livestock, and urban areas. Due to these issues and to provide a tool of water resource management and land use planning, the EPIK method was adapted to the hydrogeologic reality of the São Miguel watershed, considering both local vegetation and the current Brazilian speleological heritage protection legislation. Results revealed that 52% of the area has moderate vulnerability and 7% high vulnerability, this latter one concentrated in areas close to mining activities and urban areas. The study provided a reliable map and adapted technique which can be used in other Brazilian karst regions and other tropical karst regions.

Performance of modified twin pit toilet in Mulbagal town, Karnataka, India

Abstract Transformation of ammonium to nitrate upon sewage discharge to sub-surface environment exposes about 65 million households in rural and urban India to risks of drinking nitrate contaminated groundwater. Building on earlier research, a twin pit is modified in Mulbagal town, Karnataka, to remove nitrate in pit toilet sewage and is functional for nearly one year. The first pit serves as an anaerobic chamber, while the second pit facilitates aerobic reactions in the upper half and is equipped with a bio-barrier in its lower half. Quality of treated sewage is monitored by soil water samplers installed adjacent to the pit. After anaerobic digestion in pit 1, sewage flows into the aerobic chamber (upper half of pit 2), where COD/N ratio of 1.49 to 1.73 facilitates aerobic conversion of ammonium to nitrite and nitrate ions. Annamox reactions in a bio-barrier chamber (lower half of pit 2) reduce ammonium and nitrite concentrations, while denitrification reactions in the bio-barrier remove nitrite and nitrate from pit toilet sewage. Besides nitrate, the modified twin pit reduces COD (chemical oxygen demand), ammonium, and thermotolerant coliform levels in the discharged sewage.

An Assessment of the Microbiological Water Quality of Sand Dams in Southeastern Kenya

Sand-storage dams have proven to be a successful water harvesting method and potential solution to water and food security issues in semi-arid regions such as south east Kenya. This paper examines the microbiological quality of water both contained in the sand dam via test holes and abstracted from it through covered wells and scoop holes. In total, the values of thermotolerant coliform (TTC) concentration, turbidity, and pH are presented for 47 covered wells, 36 scoop holes, and 29 test holes, as well as the conductivity values in conductivity in 39 covered wells and 11 scoop holes. The water from test holes and covered wells was microbiologically of better quality than the scoop holes with median TTC levels of 0/100 mL and 159/100 mL respectively. However, the median values of turbidity for both scoop holes (20–30 NTU) and covered wells (5–10 NTU) exceed the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline values. In addition the conductivity of water from 23% of scoop holes and 26% of covered wells is above the recommended WHO limit. This study also found that sanitary surveys are not a useful indicator of water quality in sand dams; however, they can identify areas in which sanitation and improvement of water sources are needed.

Can Sanitary Surveys Replace Water Quality Testing? Evidence from Kisii, Kenya.

Information about the quality of rural drinking water sources can be used to manage their safety and mitigate risks to health. Sanitary surveys, which are observational checklists to assess hazards present at water sources, are simpler to conduct than microbial tests. We assessed whether sanitary survey results were associated with measured indicator bacteria levels in rural drinking water sources in Kisii Central, Kenya. Overall, thermotolerant coliform (TTC) levels were high: all of the samples from the 20 tested dug wells, almost all (95%) of the samples from the 25 tested springs, and 61% of the samples from the 16 tested rainwater harvesting systems were contaminated with TTC. There were no significant associations between TTC levels and overall sanitary survey scores or their individual components. Contamination by TTC was associated with source type (dug wells and springs were more contaminated than rainwater systems). While sanitary surveys cannot be substituted for microbial water quality results in this context, they could be used to identify potential hazards and contribute to a comprehensive risk management approach.

Avaliação bacteriológica e físico-química de águas de irrigação, solo e alface (Lactuca sativa L.)

A contaminação de hortaliças por micro-organismos patogênicos está diretamente relacionada com a qualidade das águas de irrigação utilizadas na agricultura e com o solo onde se encontram. Com o objetivo de se verificar as condições empregadas na produção de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) em três pequenas propriedades do interior do Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil), foram avaliadas a condição físico-química das águas de irrigação, e a condição microbiológica das águas, solo e folhas de alface. As análises bacteriológicas das águas de irrigação, hortaliças e do solo foram realizadas usando a técnica dos tubos múltiplos ou por contagem em placa, e levou em conta os coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, e presença ou ausência de Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp.. As análises físico químicas realizadas nas águas de irrigação foram pH, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, carbono orgânico total e nitrogênio total. As análises bacteriológicas nas águas de irrigação indicaram a ausência de Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp.. Entretanto, foi detectada a presença de E. coli e valores acima do permitido pela legislação para coliformes termotolerantes. Desta forma, estas águas se encontram fora dos padrões estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA n° 357. A pesquisa também mostrou a presença de E. coli, Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp. nas hortaliças irrigadas, sugerindo que a fonte de contaminação por Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp. deve ser a partir do solo, e não a partir da água de irrigação. Os dados físico-químicos mostraram que apenas uma das propriedades analisadas apresentou todos os parâmetros adequados, segundo a legislação vigente para águas doces de classe 1. Portanto, apenas uma das propriedades apresentou condições físico químicas para ser utilizada na irrigação de alface, embora nenhuma tenha apresentado condições higiênico-sanitárias para tal uso.

Assessing the Association between Thermotolerant Coliforms in Drinking Water and Diarrhea: An Analysis of Individual–Level Data from Multiple Studies

Background:Fecally contaminated drinking water is believed to be a major contributor to the global burden of diarrheal disease and a leading cause of mortality among young children. However, recent systematic reviews and results from blinded studies of water quality interventions have raised questions about the risk associated with fecally contaminated water, particularly as measured by thermotolerant coliform (TTC) bacteria, a WHO-approved indicator of drinking water quality.Objectives:We investigated the association between TTC in drinking water and diarrhea using data from seven previous studies.Methods:We obtained individual-level data from available field studies that measured TTC levels in household-drinking water and reported prevalence of diarrhea among household members during the days prior to the visit.Results:The combined data set included diarrhea prevalence for 26,518 individuals and 8,000 water samples from 4,017 households, yielding 45,052 observations. The odds of diarrhea increased for each log10 increase in TTC/100 mL by 18% (95% CI: 11, 26%) for children < 5 years old and 12% (95% CI: 8, 18%) for all ages. For all ages, the odds of diarrhea increased by 21%, 35% and 49% for those whose household water samples were from 11–100, 101–1,000, and > 1,000 TTC/100 mL, respectively compared to < 1 TTC/100 mL. We found no evidence of increased odds of diarrhea with contamination levels below 11 TTC/100 mL, either in adults or children.Conclusions:Our analysis of individual-level data shows increased risk of diarrhea with increasing levels of TTC in drinking water. These results suggest an association between fecally contaminated water and diarrheal disease and provides support for health-based targets for levels of TTC in drinking water and for interventions to improve drinking water quality to prevent diarrhea.Citation:Hodge J, Chang HH, Boisson S, Collin SM, Peletz R, Clasen T. 2016. Assessing the association between thermotolerant coliforms in drinking water and diarrhea: an analysis of individual level data from multiple studies. Environ Health Perspect 124:1560–1567; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP156

Fecal contamination of drinking water in Kericho District, Western Kenya: role of source and household water handling and hygiene practices.

Inadequate protection of water sources, and poor household hygienic and handling practices have exacerbated fecal water contamination in Kenya. This study evaluated the rate and correlates of thermotolerant coliform (TTC) household water contamination in Kericho District, Western Kenya. Culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used to characterize TTCs. The disk diffusion method was used for antibiotic susceptibility profiling of pathogenic Escherichia coli. Out of the 103 households surveyed, 48 (46.6%) had TTC contaminated drinking water (TTC levels of >10 cfu/100 mL). Five of these households were contaminated with pathogenic E. coli, including 40% enteroaggregative E. coli, 40% enterotoxigenic E. coli, and 20% enteropathogenic E. coli. All these pathogenic E. coli strains were multidrug resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, ampicillin, tetracycline and ampicillin/sulbactam. Rural household locality, drinking water hand contact, water storage container cleaning practice, hand washing before water withdrawal, water source total coliforms <10 cfu/100 mL, temperature, and free chlorine levels were associated with TTC contamination of household drinking water. Significant proportions of household drinking water in Kericho District are contaminated with TTCs including with pathogenic multidrug-resistant E. coli. Source and household hygiene and practices contribute significantly to drinking water contamination.

Assessing the Impact of Water Filters and Improved Cook Stoves on Drinking Water Quality and Household Air Pollution: A Randomised Controlled Trial in Rwanda

Diarrhoea and respiratory infections remain the biggest killers of children under 5 years in developing countries. We conducted a 5-month household randomised controlled trial among 566 households in rural Rwanda to assess uptake, compliance and impact on environmental exposures of a combined intervention delivering high-performance water filters and improved stoves for free. Compliance was measured monthly by self-report and spot-check observations. Semi-continuous 24-h PM2.5 monitoring of the cooking area was conducted in a random subsample of 121 households to assess household air pollution, while samples of drinking water from all households were collected monthly to assess the levels of thermotolerant coliforms. Adoption was generally high, with most householders reporting the filters as their primary source of drinking water and the intervention stoves as their primary cooking stove. However, some householders continued to drink untreated water and most continued to cook on traditional stoves. The intervention was associated with a 97.5% reduction in mean faecal indicator bacteria (Williams means 0.5 vs. 20.2 TTC/100 mL, p<0.001) and a median reduction of 48% of 24-h PM2.5 concentrations in the cooking area (p = 0.005). Further studies to increase compliance should be undertaken to better inform large-scale interventions.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01882777; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT01882777&Search=Search

A spatial analysis of pit latrine density and groundwater source contamination

This study aims to assess the relationship between chemical and microbial contamination of groundwater sources and a range of potential hazards in two peri-urban areas of Kisumu, Kenya where shallow wells and pit latrines are widely used. From 1998 to 2004, 263 samples were taken from 61 groundwater sources and tested for thermotolerant coliforms. Eighteen of these sources were also tested for chemical contaminants, including nitrate, chloride and fluoride. The locations of all water sources, buildings and pit latrines in the study area were surveyed. Local pit latrine densities were calculated using a geographic information system. Ten out 18 samples were above the World Health Organization guideline values for nitrate, 236 out of 263 were positive for thermotolerant coliforms, and all were above the guideline values for fluoride. There was neither a relationship between thermotolerant coliform levels and daily rainfall patterns nor with sanitary risk inspection scores for samples from shallow wells (r = 0.01, p = 0.91, n = 191). The density of pit latrines within a 100-m radius was significantly correlated with nitrate and chloride levels (r = 0.64, p = 0.004 and r = 0.46, p = 0.05, respectively) but not with thermotolerant coliforms (r = 0.22, p = 0.11). These results illustrate both the public health risks associated with shallow groundwater sources, on-site sanitation and high population density. These findings have implications for current policies that promote latrine construction, especially in peri-urban areas of high population density. More comprehensive studies of larger communities should be commissioned to extend this analysis of the links between latrine density and groundwater contamination and so identify the contingent policy risks.

Evaluation of the efficiency of the sewage treatment plant from the University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), RS, Brazil

AIM: The main objective was to evaluate the efficiency of the sewage treatment plant (STP) of UNISC, through the ecotoxicological characterization and the analyses of the physical, chemical and microbiological variables from the raw and treated effluent. METHODS: Samples were collected during 2008 and 2009 for performing acute toxicity (Daphnia magna), chronic toxicity (Ceriodaphnia dubia), as well as the determination of environmental variables. RESULTS: The results indicated acute toxicity with an EC(I)50 48 hours average of 64.1 ± 9.9%, characterized as moderately toxic, and an average chronic toxicity CI(I)25 of 8,1 ± 2.6%, characterized as highly toxic. The total phosphorus (3.6 ± 1.4 mg L-1) and the ammonia nitrogen (77.8 ± 22.5 mg L-1) showed high concentration in the treated effluent, highlighting the STP inefficiency and, specially, the large amount of nutrients that the system is introducing into the receiving waterbody, the Lajeado Stream, condition that characterizes a large potential environmental impact known as eutrophication. The treated effluent showed high levels of thermotolerant coliforms, reaching an average of 6.4 × 10(5) ± 8.6 × 10(5) NMP 100 mL-1, corresponding to a potential pollution load of high impact in the receiving waterbody, characterizing therefore a public health problem. CONCLUSIONS: The Lajeado Stream has no supporting capacity for preventing acute and chronic effects on biota.

Nutrients and Bacteria in Common Contiguous Mississippi Soils with and without Broiler Litter Fertilization

In Mississippi, spent poultry litter is used as fertilizer. Nutrient and bacterial levels in litter and nutrient levels in litter-fertilized (L+) soil are known, but less is known of bacterial levels in L+ soil. This study compared contiguous L+ and non-litter-fertilized (L-) soils comprising 15 soil types on five farms in April through May 2009. Levels of pH; NO-N; and Mehlich-3-extractable (M3) and water-extractable (WE) P, Ca, K, and Cu were higher in L+ than in L- soil. Total C; total N; NH-N; and M3 and WE Na, Fe, and Zn did not differ in L+ and L- soil. Bacterial levels were higher in 0- to 5-cm than in 5- to 10-cm cores. Levels were higher in L+ than in L- soil for culturally determined heterotrophic plate counts and staphylococci and were lower for total bacteria estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of 16S rRNA, but cultural levels of thermotolerant coliforms, , , and enterococci were not different. Cultural presence/absence (CPA) tests and qPCR for spp., spp., and spp. detected only spp., which did not differ in L+ (CPA = 77% positive samples; mean qPCR = 0.65 log genomic units [gu] g) and L- (CPA = 70% positive samples; mean qPCR = 0 log gu g) soils. Litter applications were associated with higher levels of pH, P, Cu, heterotrophic plate counts, and staphylococci. Fecal indicator and enteric pathogen levels were not affected. We conclude that, although some litter-derived nutrients and bacteria persisted between growing seasons in L+ soils, enteric pathogens did not.

Field assessment of a novel household-based water filtration device: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BackgroundHousehold water treatment can improve the microbiological quality of drinking water and may prevent diarrheal diseases. However, current methods of treating water at home have certain shortcomings, and there is evidence of bias in the reported health impact of the intervention in open trial designs.Methods and FindingsWe undertook a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial among 240 households (1,144 persons) in rural Democratic Republic of Congo to assess the field performance, use and effectiveness of a novel filtration device in preventing diarrhea. Households were followed up monthly for 12 months. Filters and placebos were monitored for longevity and for microbiological performance by comparing thermotolerant coliform (TTC) levels in influent and effluent water samples. Mean longitudinal prevalence of diarrhea was estimated among participants of all ages. Compliance was assessed through self-reported use and presence of water in the top vessel of the device at the time of visit. Over the 12-month follow-up period, data were collected for 11,236 person-weeks of observation (81.8% total possible). After adjusting for clustering within the household, the longitudinal prevalence ratio of diarrhoea was 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.61–1.20). The filters achieved a 2.98 log reduction in TTC levels while, for reasons that are unclear, the placebos achieved a 1.05 log reduction (p<0.0001). After 8 months, 68% of intervention households met the study's definition of current users, though most (73% of adults and 95% of children) also reported drinking untreated water the previous day. The filter maintained a constant flow rate over time, though 12.4% of filters were damaged during the course of the study.ConclusionsWhile the filter was effective in improving water quality, our results provide little evidence that it was protective against diarrhea. The moderate reduction observed nevertheless supports the need for larger studies that measure impact against a neutral placebo.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN03844341

First report of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) and cockles (Tivela mactroides) in Brazil

The consumption of oysters and cockles, which are usually eaten raw or lightly-cooked, can cause outbreaks of human diseases, especially if these shellfish are harvested from polluted areas. In Brazil data about the occurrence of pathogens, like hepatitis A virus, in shellfish have been reported but research on natural contamination for pathogenic protozoa is still non-existent. Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination of oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) and cockles (Tivela mactroides) was evaluated during two different periods in a coastal area from São Paulo, Brazil. From June to November 2005, and from July to December 2006, 180 mollusks were harvested for tissue examination. The gills and gastrointestinal tract (n = 36 pools) were carefully extracted from the animals and homogenized in a tissue homogenizer by adding surfactant Tween 80 (0.1%). Immunofluorescence assays were performed and Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 50.0% of gill pools of cockles and 10.0% of gill pools of oysters. In order to evaluate seawater quality in shellfish growing areas, total levels of thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci were determined. This is the first time that Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in shellfish from the coastal region of Brazil, and to the best of our knowledge it is also the first report in Latin America and the case might be of public health importance, reflecting the extension of the contamination on seafood, requiring a need for quality control standards.

Microbiological evaluation of sugarcane juice sold at street stands and juice handling conditions in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

Fresh sugarcane juice is sold by street vendors without any heat treatment in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Twenty-four samples of point-of-sale juice were tested by standard methods to determine heterotrophic bacteria, total and thermo-tolerant coliform counts, Salmonella, and parasites in the juice. 25% of samples showed poor sanitary conditions, with thermo-tolerant coliform levels higher than allowed by Brazilian standards. Salmonella spp. and parasites were absent in all samples. Thermo-tolerant coliforms were detected on the hands of 37% of juice handlers, and heterotrophic bacterial counts reached 2.0 x 10(3) cfu/per hand. Escherichia coli was detected in one hand sample, and no Salmonella spp. was detected. Screening questionnaires were used to interview the vendors, and 62% of interviewees were either unfamiliar with or failed to adopt adequate hygiene for food handling.