PARASITOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SAND FROM URBAN BEACHES OF JOÃO PESSOA/PB
Abstract
Objective: With a partnership between the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) and the Center for Zoonosis Control in the Municipal Health Department, we proposed to examine the soil quality of urban beaches in the city of João Pessoa/PB. Material and Methods: Sand samples were collected at demarcated places along the beaches between September 2007 and August 2008, and were then analyzed for the presence of protozoan cysts and helminth eggs or larvae. Results: Parasites contamination was identified in most of the 175 samples analyzed: 29.1% of the samples (n = 51) were found to be simultaneously infected with helminthes and protozoa; 60.6% of the samples (n = 106) had some type of protozoan and 44.4% (n = 77) some kind of helminth, while 43 samples (24.6%) did not show any developmental stage of the parasite. The most frequent findings were amoebas (50.9%) and roundworms (32.6%). Tide height at the time of collection did not influence the contamination of the sample by protozoa or helminthes. However, low relative humidity of the sample was shown to be correlated to helminth infection, but not to protozoa. Conclusion: Contamination of sand from the urban beaches of the capital of Paraiba state potentially by protozoan and helminth parasites was confirmed in this study. This information can guide the implementation of actions to improve the quality of life of the population that attends the coast of the city of João Pessoa. DESCRIPTORS Beach Pollution. Soil Analysis. Parasites. Helminthes. Protozoan.Downloads
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Published
2015-07-01
How to Cite
SOUSA, J. O. de, SANTOS, E. O. dos, LIRA, E. M., SÁ, I. C., & HIRSCH-MONTEIRO, C. (2015). PARASITOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SAND FROM URBAN BEACHES OF JOÃO PESSOA/PB. Revista Brasileira De Ciências Da Saúde, 18(3), 195–202. Retrieved from https://periodicos.ufpb.br/ojs/index.php/rbcs/article/view/14289
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Research