Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA IN SELECTED RECREATIONAL POOLS IN CALAMBA, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES

Vachel Gay Paller, Paulo Miguel Kim, Moses Edric Abadilla, Anna Monica Bordado, Michael Galapon, Lief Erikson Gamalo and Constance Aurelle Macalinao

Abstract

Water-borne protozoan parasites, (i.e. Cryptosporidium and Giardia), have received considerable attention over the past few years because of their role as ubiquitous etiological agents of diarrhea and other related diseases of humans and animals. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts have been found in water samples collected from selected pools in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. Though differing in terms of density between different pools, Cryptosporidium has been found in all 12 pools (34-2600 oocysts/L) while 10 pools were found to be positive for Giardia (67-700 cysts/L). Analysis of the physico-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, DO and pool volume) has shown no significant effects on the densities of both parasites. Private pools were found to have the higher parasite density and prevalence. Children’s pools similarly showed greater parasite contamination compared to adult pools. Correlation of parasite density and prevalence with potential contamination factors (e.g. presence of animals, pool protocols, mixed pool use etc.) derived from pool interviews showed no significant relationship between the two. However, qualitative assessment of the study areas revealed that pools with the highest parasite densities were characterized by low adherence to pool regulations.