Cryptosporidium infection, onsite wastewater systems and private wells in the arid Southwest

Few prior studies have examined the potential health risks from transmission of enteric parasites via aquifers contaminated by wastewater from onsite systems. A cross-sectional study of 600 residents in households served with either onsite wastewater systems and private wells or city sewer/water sys...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of water and health 2014-03, Vol.12 (1), p.161-172
Main Authors: TOLLESTRUP, Kristine, FROST, Floyd J, KUNDE, Twila R, YATES, Marylynn V, JACKSON, Stephanie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Antigens
Aquifers
Aridity
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis - blood
Cryptosporidiosis - epidemiology
Cryptosporidium
Demographics
Drinking water
Female
Freshwater
Health risks
Households
Human protozoal diseases
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
New Mexico - epidemiology
Onsite
Parasites
Parasitic diseases
Protozoal diseases
Regression analysis
Risk analysis
Risk Factors
River valleys
Rivers
Surveys and Questionnaires
Waste Water - parasitology
Wastewater
Water Supply
Wells
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Summary:Few prior studies have examined the potential health risks from transmission of enteric parasites via aquifers contaminated by wastewater from onsite systems. A cross-sectional study of 600 residents in households served with either onsite wastewater systems and private wells or city sewer/water systems in three different sites in central New Mexico compared serological responses to Cryptosporidium, a common waterborne infections agent. Study participants completed a short self-administered questionnaire with questions on demographic characteristics, characteristics of the onsite wastewater system and private well, and common risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis. A sample of household tap water was collected, as well as a blood sample from each study participant to measure IgG responses to antigen groups for Cryptosporidium. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between having an onsite wastewater system and private well and the 27-kDa marker for Cryptosporidium in the River Valley site after adjusting for covariates (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.11-3.55). This study, together with one prior study, suggests that the presence of onsite wastewater systems and private wells might be associated with an increased risk of Cryptosporidium infection.
ISSN:1477-8920
1996-7829
DOI:10.2166/wh.2013.049