Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species and Giardia assemblages in two watersheds in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Author(s)

de Araujo, Ronalda Silva ; Aguiar, Bruna ; Dropa, Milena ; Pepe Razzolini, Maria Tereza ; Zanoli Sato, Maria Ines ; Lauretto, Marcelo de Souza ; Galvani, Ana Tereza ; Padula, Jose Antonio ; Matte, Glavur Rogerio ; Matte, Maria Helena

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research; v. 25, n. 15, p. 13-pg., 2018-05-01.

Abstract

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are associated with cases of water and foodborne outbreaks in the world. This study included 50 samples of surface raw water collected from two watersheds in the state of So Paulo, Brazil. The isolation of (oo)cysts was performed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's methods 1623 and genotypic characterization and quantification were carried out by Nested PCR and qPCR assays based on 18S rRNA and gdh genes, respectively. U.S. EPA 1623 method showed the presence of (oo)cysts in 40% (= 0.10 oocysts/L) and 100% (= 7.6 cysts/L) of samples from So Lourenco River, respectively, and 24% (= 0.8 oocysts/L) and 60% (= 1.64 cysts/L) of Guarapiranga Reservoir, respectively. The qPCR assay detected C. hominis/parvum in 52% (0.06 to 1.85 oocysts/L) of So Lourenco River and 64% (0.09 to 1.4 oocysts/L) of Guarapiranga Reservoir samples. Presence/absence test for Giardia intestinalis was positive in 92% of So Lourenco River and 8% of Guarapiranga Reservoir samples. The assemblage A was detected in 16% (0.58 to 2.67 cysts/L) in So Lourenco River and no positive samples were obtained for assemblage B in both water bodies. The characterization of anthroponotic species C. parvum/hominis, G. intestinalis, and assemblage A was valuable in the investigation of possible sources of contamination in the watersheds studied confirming the need of expanding environmental monitoring measures for protection of these water sources in our country. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/50797-4 - Model study to assess the impact of enteric pathogens in public water supply sources
• Grantee: Maria Helena Matte
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Partnership for Technological Innovation - PITE