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Published on: January 7, 2019
Zoonotic protozoa--food for thought
1Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW, Scotland, UK.
Parassitologia
|August 3, 2006
Summary
Zoonotic protozoa like Cryptosporidium and Giardia contaminate water and food, causing disease. Their resilience and broad host range facilitate widespread transmission, posing public health challenges.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health
- Parasitology
Background:
- Waterborne and foodborne diseases caused by zoonotic protozoa are significant public health concerns.
- Protozoa such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Toxoplasma are frequently implicated in disease outbreaks.
- These pathogens exhibit characteristics that promote environmental contamination and transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the factors contributing to the environmental contamination and waterborne transmission of zoonotic protozoa.
- To highlight the challenges in controlling these pathogens in water and food supplies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of documented outbreaks and transmission pathways.
- Analysis of protozoan characteristics relevant to environmental persistence and disinfection resistance.
- Examination of emerging evidence for other protozoa in waterborne transmission.
Main Results:
- Zoonotic protozoa possess a broad host range, including humans, and a low infectious dose, increasing zoonotic transmission risk.
- Transmissive stages are small, environmentally robust, and resistant to common water disinfectants.
- Evidence suggests microsporidia, Balantidium, and Blastocystis also contribute to human infections via water and food.
Conclusions:
- The inherent biological properties of these protozoa present significant challenges for preventing waterborne and foodborne disease.
- Effective control strategies must address the resilience and broad host range of these pathogens.
- Further research is needed to understand and mitigate the transmission of emerging protozoan agents.
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