Identification of opportunistic parasites and helminth ova in concentrated water samples using a hollow-fibre ultrafiltration system

Abstract

In the present study, we applied an ultrafiltration process to detect Blastocystis spp., Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia and helminth ova during a dry season with cold and warm periods. Samples of wastewater, reuse water for the irrigation of green areas and groundwater were collected on the campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Physicochemical parameters were measured. Blastocystis spp. and its subtypes (ST) were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA); G. lamblia and C. parvum were identified using IFA, and helminth ova were searched for using flotation/sedimentation and microscopic observation. Blastocystis ST3, C. parvum and G. lamblia were detected in wastewater and reuse water, but only G. lamblia was detected in all of the samples of reuse water. Helminth ova were not detected. Statistical analysis showed a dependency between total dissolved solids and protozoa. Our data suggest that G. lamblia detection can be performed as part of reuse water quality assessments for irrigation systems.

Keywords::

• Blastocystis spp
• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Giardia lamblia
• hollow-fibre ultrafiltration
• wastewater

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank to M. Silva-Magaña for her assistance.

Funding

Grant CONACYT-SEP, number 60577 and Programa Universitario para el Manejo, Uso y Reuso del Agua, UNAM (PUMAGUA).