Assessment of sand contamination on Cabedelo beaches, Paraíba, by parasites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17564/2316-3798.2022v9n1p41-52
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Copyright (c) 2022 Interfaces Científicas - Saúde e Ambiente
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Beaches are potential sources of intestinal parasite infection, due to contamination of water and soil with sewage and animal and human feces. Parasitic infections are very common in developing countries, due to the precarious socioeconomic conditions that are linked to the lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This study aimed to determine the frequency of clinically important parasites in the sand of beaches in Cabedelo, PB. A field study was carried out to determine the collection points and 8 sites were selected on 6 beaches in the municipality. From each point, surface and 10cm depth samples were analyzed using the Hoffman, Pons e Janer and Rugai techniques. Parasites were detected in 11 samples (68.75%), being the larva of Strongyloides spp. the most frequently found parasite (56.25%). The other parasites observed were: hookworm larvae (6.25%), ascarid eggs (12.50%), Balantidium coli cyst (12.50%) and Entamoeba spp. (12.5%), Balantidium coli trophozoite (6.25%) and an adult nematode worm. The results show that the beaches of the municipality of Cabedelo are contaminated by parasites of clinical importance, which represents a risk of infection for visitors due to contact with the sand. It is therefore necessary to adopt monitoring and control measures by the population and government authorities, in order to improve the sanitary conditions of these beaches.
KEYWORDS
Soil analysis. Sanitary conditions. Parasites. Public health.
