Assessment of Parasitological Water Quality from House Kitchens and Desalination Plants Filters in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Abstract Background: Safe drinking water is a top priority in preventing disease outbreaks and is of general concern to everyone. Despite the amount of awareness created, waterborne disease still poses threat, especially in developing countries. Due to the scarcity of reported data on waterborne parasites, the consumption of unsafe water prolongs. Thus, the occurrences of waterborne parasites from various filter and water samples were investigated from Gaza Strip. Objective: This study has been conducted, to assess of parasitological water quality from house kitchens and desalination plants filters in Gaza Strip. Methods: A total 420 samples were collected from the five Governorates of Gaza Strip (Rafah, Khan Yunis, Mid Zone, Gaza and Northern); 300 samples (100 Reverse Osmosis filters, 100 tap water and 100 filtered water) were collected from 100 houses and 120 samples were collected from 40 desalination plants (40 cartridge filter, 40 inlet water and 40 outlet water). All Samples were examined using direct wet mount smear, acid fast stain, iron hematoxyline stain and Polymerase Chain Reaction. The random distributed questionnaire included a questions regarding economic and social factor, water sources, reported symptoms and public health. Results: Results revealed that only Cryptosporidium species oocyst were detected in eight of drinking water samples 1.9% (8/420). No positive samples were found when we used both direct wet mount smear and hematoxyline stain. Eight samples were positive when using acid fast stain (Cryptosporidium spp.) in RO house filters, 4 samples 14% (4/24) containing Cryptosporidium spp. in Rafah, 3 samples 16.7% (3/18) containing Cryptosporidium spp. in Northern, one samples 10% (1/10) containing Cryptosporidium spp. in Mid Zone, no Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in samples collected from KhanYonis and Gaza. By using PCR to identify Cryptosporidium spp. (C. parvum and C. hominis) which is the most common species responsible for human infections, only one sample 0.24% (1/420) was positive for C. parvum while there is no positive samples for C. hominis. The questionnaire analysis showed hight awareness among people. Conclusion: The occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the investigated water supplies may require the water utilities and water authorities in Gaza Strip to apply additional monitoring, treatment and/or watershed controls for safe drinking water. Keywords: Gaza Strip, Water quality, Filters, Cryptosporidium, PCR.