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Cryptosporidium spp. in groundwater supplies intended for human consumption - A descriptive review of global prevalence, risk factors and knowledge gaps
- Source :
- Water research. 176
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Cryptosporidiosis is one of the leading causes of diarrhoeal illness and mortality induced by protozoan pathogens worldwide. As a largely waterborne disease, emphasis has been given to the study of Cryptosporidium spp. in surface waters, readily susceptible to pathogenic contamination. Conversely, the status of Cryptosporidium in potable groundwater sources, generally regarded as a pristine and "safe" drinking-water supply owing to (sub)-soil protection, remains largely unknown. As such, this investigation presents the first literature review aimed to ascertain the global prevalence of Cryptosporidium in groundwater supply sources intended for human consumption. Thirty-seven peer-reviewed studies were identified and included in the review. Groundwater sample and supply detection rates (estimated 10-20%) indicate Cryptosporidium is frequently present in domestic groundwater sources, representing a latent health concern for groundwater consumers. Specifically, sample (10.4%) and source (19.1%) detection rates deriving from comprehensive "temporal" investigations are put forward as representative of a contamination 'baseline' for Cryptosporidium in 'domestic' groundwater supplies. Proposed 'baseline' prevalence figures are largely applicable in preventive risk-based catchment and groundwater quality management including the formulation of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). Notwithstanding, a large geographical disparity in available investigations and lack of standardized reporting restrict the transferability of research findings. Overall, the mechanisms responsible for Cryptosporidium transport and ingress into groundwater supplies remain ambiguous, representing a critical knowledge gap, and denoting a distinctive lack of integration between groundwater and public-health sub-disciplines among investigations. Key recommendations and guidelines are provided for prospective studies directed at more integrative and multi-disciplinary research.
- Subjects :
- Environmental Engineering
0208 environmental biotechnology
Transferability
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidium
02 engineering and technology
010501 environmental sciences
01 natural sciences
Microbial risk
Risk Factors
Water Supply
Environmental health
medicine
Prevalence
Animals
Humans
Prospective Studies
Baseline (configuration management)
Waste Management and Disposal
Groundwater
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Water Science and Technology
Civil and Structural Engineering
Consumption (economics)
biology
Ecological Modeling
Waterborne diseases
medicine.disease
biology.organism_classification
Pollution
020801 environmental engineering
Geography
Groundwater quality
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 18792448
- Volume :
- 176
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Water research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fe75da0226770c54842f52dd095fd501