ABBASZADEGAN M, EMAMI A, FARID R, GERBA C. OCCURRENCE OF VIRUSES AND P RO TOZOAN PARASI TES IN SURFACE, GROUND AND TREATED WATER IN THE CI TY OF MASHHAD, IRAN. Med J Islam Repub Iran 1998; 12 (1) :41-45
URL:
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1045-en.html
From the American Water Works Service Company, Belleville, IL
Abstract: (3982 Views)
A research plan was developed to evaluate the occurrence of enteroviruses,
giardia cysts and cryptosporidium oocysts in thirty-five different sites in the city of
Mashhad, Iran. The occurrence of these pathogenic microorganisms was evaluated
to investigate a possible health risk in the communities.
For the detection of enteroviruses in water samples, the conventional method of
cell culture, using Buffalo Green Monkey (BGM) cell line, was used. The minimum
sample volume for viruses was 500 liters, collected using a positively charged MK
cartridge filter, eluted with beef extract and concentrated by organic flocculation.
The method of detection for cysts and oocysts relied on microscopic observation of
water samples by the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). For this study, water samples
were collected using a cartridge filter, eluted by washing the filter using a detergentbased
medium, concentrated by centrifugation, clarified by a percoll-sucrose density
gradient, stained by an indirect fluorescent antibody, and examined by epifluorescence
microscopy.
A total of seventy surface, ground or treated water samples were collected from
35 different sites in the metropolitan city of Mashhad. Thirty-five samples were
assayed for the presence of enteroviruses by cell culture and 35 samples were assayed
by IFA technique for the detection of cysts and oocysts. Two surface water samples
tested positive for virus presence and three surface water samples tested positive for
giardia cysts. Based on the results of this research project, no microbial contamination
of finished water was documented, suggesting proper treatment of surface water at
the time of sampling.