[Detection of Cryptosporidium in subterranean drinking water]

The objective of the present work has been to determine the role of drinking water of subterranean origin in the transmission of enteroparasitosis. The samples were obtained from wells and tanks supplying population areas in Santa Fe province. The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were all determined. The detection of parasites was carried out by means of filtration, the subsequent washing of the filters with a Tween 80 solution and the concentration of the remaining liquid which was then submitted to microscopic examination. This examination was made for both fresh samples and samples stained with permanent and differential staining techniques. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were found in the water which supplies one of those population areas. The bacteriological examination revealed the presence of total coliforms but neither chemical contamination parameters nor faecalis coliforms were found. We conclude that the absence of the latter is not enough to discard the presence of parasites and that protective measures of the water supply must be implemented.