Global Advanced Research Journal of Microbiology (GARJM) ISSN: 2315-5116
May 2016 Vol. 5(6): pp. 068-079
Copyright © 2016 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts contaminating hospitals drinking water supply using different techniques during winter/summer season

Fatma G. SAYED¹, Amany I. HAMZA¹, Lamia A. GALAL^1*, Douaa M. SAYED^b and Mona GABER^a

¹ Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University.

² Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Egypt.

Email: lamiazak@gmail.com

Accepted 10 June, 2016

Abstract

Water is the principal transmission route for Cryptosporidium spp; most of the outbreaks are mainly the result of infected water consumption. The study was designed to identify the prevalence and viability of Cryptosporidium spp in the drinking water supply of Assiut university hospitals.  Also, analyze places, and origin of contamination, using flow cytometry and conventional staining techniques during winter/summer seasons. Water samples covering university hospitals  drinking  water supply inlet, tanks, and outlets were collected throughout winter and summer. Samples were subjected to filtration, elution, and concentration. The diagnosis was completed using modified acid-faststaining, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) techniques and flow cytometry. Nested PCR was employed for Cryptosporidium spp characterization. About 79% of the analyzed specimens were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. Significant seasonal variation was identified as oocysts were more dominant in winter (87.5%) than in summer (70.8%), but the intensity of water contamination was greater in summer.  Hospitals water inlets supplied from the local  water plant were oocysts polluted, but with a lesser intensity than hospitals water tanks and outlets. It is confirmed that hospitals receive contaminated drinking water from the water plant; however, the tanks and pipes become extra polluted with additional domestic sources. The seasonal prevalence in drinking water system is the mirror of the ecological factors that should be audited to obtain an efficient control policy. Consequently, tracking the origins of infection using the flow cytometry technique will provide experts with further information to combat the Cryptosporidium water pollution.

Keywords:  Cryptosporidium parvum, season, drinking water, flow cytometry, Egypt.