Presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the water sources of indigenous peoples in Boliwong, Philippines

Abstract

The study investigated the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the water system from an untapped indigenous community inhabited by the Tuwali ethno-linguistic group of the Philippines. These protozoa parasites were detected from river, creek and water pumps using direct fluorescence antibody (DFA) test and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technique. In situ measurement of physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, and total dissolved solids of the water samples were done. From the 24 samples collected during the month of April 2017, seven samples were positive for Cryptosporidium (29%) and one sample was positive for Giardia (4.2%). The concentration of parasites were typically one to two (oo)cysts per 10 liters of water. The quality of water was generally acceptable for primary contact recreation, irrigation and livestock watering based on the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the community is an important indicator of the occurring zoonosis in the community. This calls for a wider scale of the detection for waterborne protozoan parasites within the region before a possible outbreak could happen.