Korean J Parasitol.  2017 Apr;55(2):129-135. 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.2.129.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia and the Relationship between Protozoa and Water Quality Indicators in Swimming Pools

• Xiao S
• Yin P
• Zhang Y
• Hu S

• KMID: 2379414
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.2.129

Abstract

A total of 60 samples were collected from 35 swimming pools in Beijing, China, and the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia were investigated. The results showed that 16.7% and 15.0% of samples were positive for Cryptosporidium oocyst and Giardia cysts, respectively, with a mean concentration of 0.30 oocysts/10 L and 0.27 cysts/10 L. The oocysts and cysts were found to have higher rates of occurrence in August than in May. Genotyping confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium hominis, C. parvum, and Giardia assemblages A and B, all of which were associated with human infections. The predominant species/assemblages were C. hominis and Giardia assemblage A. Analyses of the relationships between parasite oocysts/cysts, indicator bacteria, and physical-chemical parameters revealed that there was no correlation between 2 parasites and fecal bacterial indicators, whilst there was a significant correlation between protozoa and urea concentration, which indicates that urea concentration rather than fecal bacterial indicators might be an appropriate index for chlorine-resistant protozoa in swimming pools. This study provides useful information to improve the safety of swimming pool water and deduce the risk of protozoan infections.

Keyword

Cryptosporidium; Giardia; bacterial indicator; swimming pool; water quality

MeSH Terms

Bacteria
Beijing
China
Cryptosporidium*
Giardia*
Humans
Oocysts
Parasites
Protozoan Infections
Swimming Pools*
Swimming*
Urea
Water Quality*
Water*
Urea
Water