Open AccessDetection of microsporidia, cryptosporidia and giardia in swimming pools: a one‐year prospective study
Author(s) -
Fournier Sandra,
Dubrou S,
Liguory O,
Gaussin F,
SantillanaHayat M,
Sarfati C,
Molina J.M,
Derouin F
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2002.tb00592.x
Subject(s) - microsporidia , giardia , biology , protozoa , cryptosporidium , polymerase chain reaction , microbiology and biotechnology , microsporidiosis , zoology , spore , feces , genetics , gene
In order to estimate the rate of microsporidia, cryptosporidia and giardia contamination of swimming pools, sequential samples of water were collected during a one‐year period in six different swimming pools in Paris, France. Fourty‐eight samples were submitted to filtrations. Eluates were examined for microsporidia using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for cryptosporidia and giardia using immunofluorescence staining. One of 48 specimens was positive for microsporidia. Using DNA sequence analysis, unknown microsporidia species were identified, which were close to an insect microsporidia Endoreticulatus schubergi . One sample was positive for cryptosporidia and none were positive for giardia. This study shows a low level of swimming pool water contamination by microsporidia, cryptosporidia or giardia, demonstrating the efficacy of cleaning filtration and disinfection procedures used in French swimming pools.