Role of water in the transmission of cyclosporiarsis in Shakia Governorate, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Water samples were collected form five residential areas in El Ekhewa Village where the human populations use this water for daily activity and for consumption. These water sources were Bahr El-Baker drain, low running irrigation canal, under-ground water at shallow depth [3-8 m], finished piped water and underground water > 35m deep. The samples were concentrated by flocculation method and the concentrated pellets were examined by ultraviolet [UV] epifluorescence microscopy for Cvclospora oocysts. The densities of water contamination by 8-10 pm oocysts /liter in the five sources were respectively 2400, 1900, 700, 200 and zero. This indicated that finished water was sewage contaminated. Stool samples from 109 diarrheal patients and 231 non-diarrheal ones from these areas were examined by the acid fast-trichrome stain, Saline Haemo De single slide tri-chrome stain and by standard bacteriologic techniques. Those with Cyclospora s single pathogen were considered [5.6%] of diarrheal and [2.3%] of the non-diarrheal individuals. The correlation between the density of water contamination and the prevalence of cyclosponiasis among the individuals of each area was significant. No doubt, water was the main vehicle of transmission in the present community. Soil contact and poultry were significant risk factors