Intestinal parasitosis and use of untreated wastewater for agriculture in Settat, Morocco.

An evaluation was made of the risk of contamination by faecal parasites in the population from the use of wastewater in agriculture. The study was based in 3 rural clusters in the northern region of Settat city, Morocco: 2 rural clusters exposed to untreated wastewater in agriculture and 1 not exposed. The sample comprised 333 people aged 3-60+ years: 214 exposed and 119 non-exposed. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites. The results showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis (i.e. evidence of at least 1 type of parasite) in the exposed group was significantly higher that the non-exposed group (66.4% versus 31.9%; relative risk 2.1). The household crowding index was also higher in the exposed group.

Intestinal parasitosis and use of untreated wastewater for agriculture in Settat, Morocco

An evaluation was made of the risk of contamination by faecal parasites in the population from the use of wastewater in agriculture. The study was based in 3 rural clusters in the northern region of Settat city, Morocco: 2 rural clusters exposed to untreated wastewater in agriculture and 1 not exposed. The sample comprised 333 people aged 3-60+ years: 214 exposed and 119 non-exposed. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites. The results showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis [i.e. evidence of at least 1 type of parasite] in the exposed group was significantly higher that the non-exposed group [66.4% versus 31.9%; relative risk 2.1]. The household crowding index was also higher in the exposed group

[Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in a farming population using sewage water in agriculture, Settat, Morocco]. / Prévalence de Giardia intestinalis chez une population rurale utilisant les eaux usées à des fins agricoles à Settat, Maroc.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation was undertaken to assess the risk linked to the use of raw sewage waters in agriculture, and the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis. DESIGN: The survey was made on 214 individuals, average age 28.6+/-19.4 years, belonging to two douars using raw sewage waters in agriculture, and 119 individuals, age 31.8+/-19.5 years, belonging to a control douar not using raw sewage waters. These three douars are located in around the city of Settat, in Morocco. Every consenting individual was given a complete clinical examination and 3 stools samples were collected in 3 consecutive days. RESULTS: The prevalence of G. intestinalis in the exposed population was 11.7% compared to 2.5% in the control population. The relative risk was 4.6. This difference is statistically significant. The most concerned individuals were essentially children between 3 and 14 years of age. Close contact was an important factor of infection in the exposed population, with a higher prevalence in the case of high promiscuity index. In the exposed population, more than 50% of the cases were familial ones. Giardiasis causes a trophic state, essentially in children. CONCLUSION: The use of the raw sewage waters in agriculture is responsible for an increased risk of giardiasis. Some preventive measures are mandatory, including hygiene education and an adequate treatment of sewage waters.

Wound reepithelialization activates a growth factor-responsive enhancer in migrating keratinocytes.

Wound reepithelialization and keratinocyte migration require strictly ordered gene expression, which is assumed to be initiated by locally released mitogens and exposure of the cells to different matrix components. The mechanisms triggering gene expression specifically during reepithelialization are poorly understood. The far upstream AP-1-driven, FGF-inducible response element (FiRE) of the syndecan-1 gene was activated during cutaneous wound healing in transgenic mice. FiRE was induced selectively in migrating but not in proliferating keratinocytes at the wound edge. The activation was initiated at the start of the cell migration, was persistent throughout the merging and stratification phases, and was terminated after completion of reepithelialization. Although FiRE has been found within the gene of syndecan-1, the proximal promoter of syndecan-1 was not required for activation of FiRE in the migrating keratinocytes. The wounding induced activation was inhibited by blocking cell surface growth factor receptors with suramin. However, the activation of FiRE in resting skin required simultaneous growth factor- and stress-induced signals, but could also be elicited by the phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid. The activation by both wounding and chemical stimuli was blocked by inhibiting extracellular regulated kinase and p38 MAP kinases, suggesting the involvement of at least two parallel signal transduction pathways in wounding induced gene activation. As FiRE shows specificity for migrating keratinocytes only, it can be a useful tool for future wound healing studies and for targeting genes to injured tissues.