Microbiology Department, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
Dean, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Mar 20;17(6):2079. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17062079.
People living in rural areas still rely on the use of environmental water that is contaminated by human and animal activities. This study assessed the occurrence of human enteric pathogens in rivers that are used by rural communities Vhembe District of South Africa as a source of drinking water covering two seasons (winter and summer) over a one-year period. Water quality was assessed using physico characteristics and indicator organisms (total coliforms, , ). Pathogens tested included bacteria (Pathogenic , -, - and spp.), protozoa (Cryptosporidium- and Giardia spp.), and enteric viruses (Rota-, Noro-, Entero-, and Adenoviruses) while using published molecular protocols. The results showed that the indicator bacteria counts exceeded South African drinking water quality guideline limits and pathogenic was detected in the samples. No spp. were isolated, while spp. and spp. were present; parasites were detected in four rivers and Enteric viruses were predominantly detected in the winter season. The results indicated the poor condition of water and the potential health risks to consumers highlighting the need for implementing river catchment management strategies for continued sustainability in these rivers.
生活在农村地区的人们仍然依赖于受到人类和动物活动污染的环境水。本研究评估了南非威姆布地区农村社区作为饮用水来源的河流中人类肠道病原体的发生情况，涵盖了一年中的两个季节（冬季和夏季）。使用物理特性和指示生物（总大肠菌群、耐热大肠菌群、粪大肠菌群）来评估水质。测试的病原体包括细菌（致病性大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌、志贺氏菌和弧菌属）、原生动物（隐孢子虫和贾第虫属）和肠道病毒（轮状病毒、诺如病毒、肠道病毒和腺病毒），同时使用已发表的分子方案。结果表明，指示细菌的计数超过了南非饮用水质量指南的限制，并且在样本中检测到了致病性大肠杆菌。未分离出志贺氏菌属，而弧菌属和沙门氏菌属存在；在四条河流中检测到寄生虫，肠道病毒主要在冬季检测到。结果表明水质较差，消费者存在潜在的健康风险，这突显了需要实施河流集水区管理策略，以确保这些河流的可持续性。
