Investigation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system.

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in a public water-treatment system and to relate the results to physical, chemical, bacteriological and climate parameters. From March to September 2006, 30 samples, 15 of raw water and 15 of treated water, were examined by membrane filtration and direct immunofluorescence (Merifluor). For each sample, a volume of 1000 1 was collected. Of the raw-water samples, 26.6% were positive for Cryptosporidium (mean concentration of 0.15 oocysts/l), and 6.66% were positive for Giardia (concentration of 0.2 cysts/l); 13.33% of the samples were positive for both (mean concentrations of 0.06 oocysts/l and 0.026 cysts/l respectively). All the samples of treated water were negative. There was no correlation (P < 0.05) between the presence of protozoans in the raw water and the parameters measured. The finding of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in raw water indicates that the water sources are contaminated. Considering that giardiasis is prevalent in the population and that Cryptosporidium has recognized zoonotic potential, long-term monitoring at critical points of the system is necessary to guarantee that the water will not be a vehicle for transmission of these protozoans.

Seasonal contamination of public squares and lawns by parasites with zoonotic potential in southern Brazil.

The presence of helminths and protozoans in public squares and lawns of the city of Maringá, southern Brazil, during winter and summer was assessed in order to evaluate their seasonal fluctuations in relation to edaphic and climatic factors. Samples were collected from January 2003 through June 2004 in 90% (13) of all public squares covered by sand, and in 30% (4) of all lawns used as leisure areas. The samples were analysed quantitatively by modified centrifugal-flotation and sedimentation in water techniques, and qualitatively by a method based on positive larval thermo-hydrotropism. Meteorological data were recorded, and physical, chemical and structural characteristics of the soil were analysed. One hundred and thirty samples of sand from squares, 65 in summer and 65 in winter, and 40 samples of grass from lawns, 20 in each season, were collected. All samples from lawns, 62 (95.38%) from squares in winter and 45 (69.23%) in summer, contained protozoans and/or helminths. Eggs of Toxocara spp. were the most frequently observed parasites in both winter and summer in squares (P < 0.0001) and in lawns (P = 0.6142), being equally distributed among the different locations (P = 0.2038). Species diversity was lower in winter; fewer parasites were found in summer. This region, with a tropical climate and a mild winter dry season, has favourable edaphic and climatic conditions for soil contaminants to persist year-round. In addition, the high frequency of animals such as dogs and cats and the poor sanitary measures in force made it possible for zoonoses to be transmitted in the public spaces.

Cisticercose em animais abatidos em Sabáudia, Estado do Paraná / Cysticercosis in animals of Sabáudia, Paraná State

The aim of this work was to verify the occurrence of bovine and swine cysticercosis in animals slaughtered at the Abatedouro Municipal de Sabáudia, Paraná State. The number of daily-abated animals, the number of animals with cysticercus and the number and location of the cysticercus in the animals in a period of twelve months were collected. From 1046 swines slaughtered none showed cysticercus, but 36/out of 389 bovines (9.3 percent) were contaminated. Head was the most parasited region, followed by heart, tongue and liver. The absence of contamination observed in swines and the low contamination of the bovines reinforce the efficiency of the control measures accomplished in Paraná State.

[Endoparasite prevalence in truck farmers and in the vegetables of Feira do Produtor de Maringá, Paraná]. / Prevalência de enteroparasitas em horticultores e hortaliças da Feira do Produtor de Maringá, Paraná.

Few studies have assessed the contamination of vegetables at Brazilian production sites. From April 1996 to December of 1997, the sanitary conditions of raw consumed vegetables sold in the Feira do Produtor de Maringá were investigated. We based the analyses on the contamination of vegetables, of the producers (stool samples and material under the fingernails) and of the water used for irrigation. It was observed that 16.6% of 144 samples of five different types of vegetables were contaminated with intestinal parasites. Forty three of 163 individuals (26%) were infected with one or more parasites. Only three of the 49 samples of material under the fingernails analyzed were positive for intestinal parasites. Analysis of samples of the water used for vegetable irrigation showed that the water did not satisfy bacteriological standards of potability. We conclude that in the investigated area the contamination of vegetables occurred during the production phase and that a sanitary education campaign directed at the producers is needed.