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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375754
Research Project: Characterization and Mitigation of Bacterial Pathogens in the Fresh Produce Production and Processing Continuum

Location: Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory

Title: The presence of Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Giardia intestinalis in potential alternative sources of agricultural water: a conserve project

Author
item CRAIGHEAD, SHANI - University Of Delaware
item ANDERSON-COUGHLIN, BRIENNA - University Of Delaware
item GARTLEY, SAMANTHA - University Of Delaware
item KRLLY, ALYSS - University Of Delaware
item OMAR, ALEXIS - University Of Delaware
item VANORE, ADAM - University Of Delaware
item JIANG, CHENGSHENG - University Of Maryland
item HAYMAKER, JOSEPH - University Of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
item FOUST, DEREK - University Of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
item DUNCAN, RICO - University Of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
item WHITE, CHANELLE - University Of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
item East, Cheryl - Roberts
item Handy, Eric
item ALLARD, SARAH - University Of Maryland
item MURRAY, RIANNA - University Of Maryland
item CALLAHAN, MARY THERESA - University Of Maryland
item SOLAIMAN, SULTANA - University Of Maryland
item BETANCOURT, WALTER - University Of Arizona
item GERBA, CHARLES - University Of Arizona
item PARVEEN, SALINA - University Of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
item HASHEM, FAWZY - University Of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
item MICALLEF, SHIRLEY - University Of Maryland
item SAPKOTA, AMIR - University Of Maryland
item SAPKOTA, AMY - University Of Maryland
item Sharma, Manan
item KNIEL, KALMIA - University Of Delaware

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: There is a public health concern surrounding protozoa in agricultural irrigation water and their contamination of fresh produce Purpose: To examine the impact of season, climate, and physicochemical properties of water on the presence of protozoan parasites in potential alternative sources of agricultural water. Methods: Water samples (n=72) were collected (6/2017-10/2018) from surface water (river, pond), and recycled water sites in the Mid-Atlantic region, and 10 to 20L were filtered using an Envirochek HV Capsule at a filtration rate of 2L/min. Filters were eluted according to the EPA1623 modified method, then DNA extraction and qPCR were performed with gel electrophoresis confirmation. Climatic variables and physicochemical properties of the water sources were measured during sampling. Data were analyzed using binary logistic-regression and chi-square tests with XLSTAT. Results: For Cryptosporidium spp., 65.38% (26/72) of samples tested positive. For Giardia intestinalis, 9.72% (7/72) of samples tested positive. For Toxoplasma gondii, 9.72% (7/72) of samples tested positive. Ambient temperature was found to have a potential impact on the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia across water types (P<0.026). When examining surface water and reclaimed water separately, Cryptosporidium detection may be impacted by surface water temperature (P=0.01) and Giardia by reclaimed water temperature (P=0.0001). Precipitation 24hr and 14d prior to sampling (PTS) was associated with detection of Toxoplasma across water types (P=0.033); particularly at 24hr PTS with surface water (P=0.038). By water source, Cryptosporidium detection in ponds (P=0.027) was linked with precipitation 14d PTS and in river and reclaimed waters (P<0.037) at 24hr PTS.