Investigation on Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water supplies of Ikizdere (Rize-Turkey) by immunofluorescence test

Abstract

Ilica village which has the largest thermal spa in Rize province, is situated near to Ikizdere in the Black Sea Region of Turkey, in a long valley between peaks of the Kackar Mountains, is sometimes called 'Paradise Valley' because of its extraordinary nature. Ikizdere, is, by virtue of its thermal water with 1 liter/4542, one of the five best thermal waters in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the enviroment and in drinking water supplies in Ikizdere of Rize, since there has been no other reported investigations on this protozoan in this area. Water samples were collected from Ikizdere and its surrounding area for the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia oocysts/cysts by Immunofluorescence test (IFT). In all the water samples from the thermal facilities, its surrounding area and Ilica village no oocysts and cysts and also no bacterial contamination were found due to little urbanisation and the sparse population. But, in Ikizdere, Cevizlik and Guneyce village and their surrounding area water samples at a distance of up to 6 km from the facilities have been found to contain a few oocysts/cysts. We hypothesize that the origin of this small contamination could be agricultural practices because of increased urbanisation.