Prevalence of Waterborne Parasites in Environmental Water Sources of Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan: Prevalence of Waterborne Parasites in Environmental Sources

Zunaira Wasif; Areeba Wasif; Areej Irfan; Muhammad Saqlain; Tooba Sajjad; Asma Abdul Latif; Sikandar Hayat; Ayesha Riaz; Afia Muhammad Akram

doi:10.54393/fbt.v5i4.216

Authors

Zunaira Wasif Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Areeba Wasif Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Areej Irfan Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Saqlain Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Tooba Sajjad Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Asma Abdul Latif Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Sikandar Hayat Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Ayesha Riaz Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Afia Muhammad Akram Department of Zoology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/fbt.v5i4.216

Keywords:

Waterborne Parasites, Helminths, Protozoans, Borehole Water, Recreational Water

Abstract

Water-borne parasitism has been an issue of concern in the recent past because of the pollution of different water sources. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and diversity of waterborne parasites in water samples of Lahore and Faisalabad. Methods: A total of 420 samples were collected from different sources (river, canal, borehole, and filter). A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from April 2024 to July 2024. Different developmental stages of both protozoan and helminth have been isolated and examined from all the sampled water sources by filtration and centrifugation then the parasites were observed under a microscope. Results: Helminths isolated from water samples include Ancylostoma duodenale (1.19%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.38%), Clonorchis sinensis (0.48%), Dracunculus medinensis (0.24%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.43%), Hymenolepsis nana (0.95%), and Schistosoma spp. (0.48%), Strongyloides stercoralis (3.33%), Taenia saginata (2.14%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (0.24%). Protozoans isolated include Balantidium coli (1.67%), Blastocystis hominis (1.19%), Cryptosporidium parvum (2.86%), Cystoisospora belli (1.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (2.38%), Entamoeba coli (1.43%), Giardia duodenale (0.48%), Giardia lamblia (1.67%), and Iodoameoba butschii (0.95%). Recreational water has the highest prevalence of 45.71%, followed by borehole 30% and filtered water 6.42%. Statistically significant difference (P<0.05) has been observed between borehole and recreational water. The highest prevalence of waterborne parasites has been observed in the month of April, 47.9%, followed by May, 37%, June, 14.7%, and July, 1.2%. Conclusions: Parasitic prevalence in water sources shows that water should be treated before use. High parasitic contamination in recreational water shows that it should not be used for human and animal activities.

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