The detection of Entamoeba histolytica and Toxoplasma gondii in wastewater.

To increase current knowledge on the epidemiology of protozoan parasites in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), the occurrence of Entamoeba histolytica and Toxoplasma gondii in raw and treated wastewater was investigated. Samples were collected from WWTP twice a month over a period of 8 months. Determination of protozoa was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and light microscopy.

Microbial pathogens in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Hamburg.

Microbial pathogens are among the major health problems associated with water and wastewater. Classical indicators of fecal contamination include total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens. These fecal indicators were monitored in order to obtain information regarding their evolution during wastewater treatment processes.

The detection of Giardia cysts in a large-scale wastewater treatment plant in Hamburg, Germany.

Giardia is one of the most common human enteric parasites that continue to be a major cause of diarrheal disease globally. Wastewater is an important source of Giardia transmission, and control of the pathogen by appropriate treatment of wastewater would limit its transmission. In this study the occurrence of Giardia cysts at various stages of the wastewater treatment plants was monitored for a period of 18 mo.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium in a wastewater treatment plant in North Germany.

Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the most common human parasitic protozoa and is responsible for many waterborne outbreaks in several industrialized countries. The oocyst, which is the infective form, is known to be highly resistant to wastewater treatment procedures and represents a potential hazard to human populations through contaminated raw or treated wastewater. In this investigation, the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in wastewater samples was monitored and removal efficiency was assessed.