Detection of microsporidia in drinking water, wastewater and recreational rivers

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 45; no. 16; pp. 4837 - 4843
• Main Authors: Izquierdo, Fernando, Castro Hermida, José Antonio, Fenoy, Soledad, Mezo, Mercedes, González-Warleta, Marta, Aguila, Carmen del
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Applied sciences; diarrhea; drinking; Drinking water; Drinking water treatment plant (DWTP); Encephalitozoon cuniculi; Encephalitozoon hellem; Encephalitozoon intestinalis; Enterocytozoon bieneusi; epidemiology; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh Water - parasitology; Freshwater; Health; Human; Humans; IDEXX Filta-Max; Microsporidia; Microsporidia - isolation & purification; microsporidiosis; parasites; pathogens; Pollution; polymerase chain reaction; Recreational river area (RRA); Risk; risk factors; Rivers; Spores; Waste water; wastewater; Wastewater treatment; Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); Water Supply - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Spain; Europe; Spain, Galicia; Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); Encephalitozoon intestinalis; Microsporidia; Recreational river area (RRA); IDEXX Filta-Max; Drinking water treatment plant (DWTP); plant (DWTP); Drinking water; Microbiology; Environmental policy; plant (WWTP); Epidemiology; Spores; Waste water; Health and environment; Bioaerosol; Pathogenic; Stream; Biological contamination; Public health; Drinking water treatment; Parasite; Wastewater treatment; Sewage treatment plant; Polymerase chain reaction; Drinking water treatment plant; Surface water; Risk factor; Water quality; Health hazards; Aerosols; Air pollution; Regulation; Waste water purification; Bathing water
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.06.033

Diarrhea is the main health problem caused by human-related microsporidia, and waterborne transmission is one of the main risk factors for intestinal diseases. Recent studies suggest the involvement of water in the epidemiology of human microsporidiosis. However, studies related to the presence of microsporidia in different types of waters from countries where human microsporidiosis has been described are still scarce. Thirty-eight water samples from 8 drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), 8 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and 6 recreational river areas (RRAs) from Galicia (NW Spain) have been analyzed. One hundred liters of water from DWTPs and 50 L of water from WWTPs and RRAs were filtered to recover parasites, using the IDEXX Filta-Max® system. Microsporidian spores were identified by Weber’s stain and positive samples were analyzed by PCR, using specific primers for Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon hellem. Microsporidia spores were identified by staining protocols in eight samples (21.0%): 2 from DWTPs, 5 from WWTPs, and 1 from an RRA. In the RRA sample, the microsporidia were identified as E. intestinalis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of human-pathogenic microsporidia in water samples from DWTPs, WWTPs and RRAs in Spain. These observations add further evidence to support that new and appropriate control and regulations for drinking, wastewater, and recreational waters should be established to avoid health risks from this pathogen. [Display omitted] ► Study of microsporidia, for the first time, in different types of waters, in Spain. ► Drinking and wastewater treating plants and recreational areas have been analyzed. ► Microsporidia were identified in 21.0% by staining protocols. ► In one sample, the microsporidia was identified as Encephalitozoon intestinalis. ► New control and regulation of water are suggested to avoid health risk.