Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Waterborne parasites and physico-chemical assessment of selected lakes in Malaysia

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the physico-chemical parameters and waterborne parasites in selected recreational lakes from Malaysia. Samples were collected from seven stations of Recreational Lake A (RL-A) and six stations of Recreational Lake B (RL-B). The samples were processed to detect the presence of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. using immunomagnetic separation kit, helminth eggs or ova by bright field microscopy and Acanthamoeba spp. by cultivation in non-nutrient agar. Chemical parameters such as ammonia, chlorine, fluoride, nitrate and nitrite and physical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, salinity, temperature and total dissolved solid were also measured. Both lakes were freshwater with salinity ranging from 0.05 to 0.09 ppt. Most stations of these lakes were contaminated with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Ascaris spp. and hookworm. Schistosoma spp. was found in RL-B only, while Acanthamoeba spp. was found in all stations. Of all sampling sites, station 5 of RL-B is the most contaminated. Linear regression and correlation analysis revealed that Giardia spp. and Schistosoma spp. showed a significant negative correlation with turbidity (p < 0.01). Based on the preliminary data obtained, it is clearly shown that there is a necessity to implement the detection of waterborne parasites and physico-chemical analysis in Malaysia. Future work on heavy metals (chromium, copper, mercury and zinc) is recommended to enhance the overall water quality monitoring and to take appropriate safety measures to ensure maintenance of good water standards.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Gahwari YAK (2007) Physico-chemical parameters and microorganisms as water quality indicators of Teluk Bahang reservoir and Batu Ferringhi Treatment Plant. Dissertation, University of Science Malaysia

  • Anisah N, Amal H, Kamel AG, Yusof S, Noraina AR, Norhayati M (2005) Isolation of Acanthamoeba sp. from conjunctival sac of healthy individuals using swab. Trop Biomed 22:11–14

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashraf MA, Maah MJ, Yusoff I (2010) Water quality characterization of Varsity Lake, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. J Chem 7:S245–S254

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Azman J, Init I, Wan Yusoff WS (2009) Occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts in the river water of two recreational areas in Selangor, Malaysia. Trop Biomed 26:289–302

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bakir B, Tanyuksel M, Saylam F, Tanriverdi S, Araz RE, Hacim AK, Hasde M (2003) Investigation of waterborne parasites in drinking water sources of Ankara, Turkey. J Microbiol 41:148–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonadonna L, Briancesco R, Ottaviani M, Veschetti E (2002) Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in sewage effluents and correlation with microbial, chemical and physical water variables. Environ Monit Assess 75:241–252

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carmena D, Aguinagalde X, Zigorraga C, Fernandez-Crespo JC, Ocio JA (2007) Presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in drinking water supplies in northern Spain. J Appl Microbiol 102:619–629

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DeRegnier DP, Cole L, Schupp DG, Erlandsen SL (1989) Viability of Giardia cysts suspended in lake, river and tap water. Appl Environ Microbiol 55:1223–1229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DOE (Department of Environment Malaysia) (2010). Malaysia environmental quality report. Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia. http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/law/malaysia/eq_surface.htm. Accessed 10 Aug 2012

  • Fayer R, Trout JM, Jenkins MC (1998) Infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts stored in water at environmental temperatures. J Parasitol 84:1165–1169

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gasim MB, Ismail BS, Toriman E, Mir SI, Chek TC (2007) A physico-chemical assessment of the Bebar River, Pahang, Malaysia. Glob J Environ Res 1:7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu BM, Huang C, Hsu YF, Jiang GY, Hsu CL (2001) Evaluation of two concentration methods for detecting Giardia and Cryptosporidium in water. Water Res 35:419–424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jalal KCA, Noor Faizul HN, Kamaruzzaman BY, Shahbudin S, Alam MZ, Irwandi J (2009) Studies on physico-chemical characteristics and sediment environment along the coastal waters in Pulau Tuba, Langkawi, Malaysia. Aquat Ecosyst Health 12:350–357

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan NA (2006) Acanthamoeba: biology and increasing importance in human health. FEMS Microbiol Rev 30:564–595

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Korich DG, Mead JR, Madore MS, Sinclair NA, Sterling CR (1990) Effects of ozone, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, and monochloramine on Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst viability. Appl Environ Microbiol 56:1423–1428

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LeChevallier MW, Norton WD (1992) Examining relationships between particle counts and Giardia, Cryptosporidium and turbidity. J Am Water Works Assoc 84:54–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim YAL, Ahmad RA (2004) Occurrence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in the Temuan Orang Asli (aborigine) river system. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 35:801–810

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lim YAL, Ramasame SD, Mahdy MA, Sulaiman WY, Smith HV (2009) Detection and molecular characterization of Giardia isolated from recreational lake water in Malaysia. Parasitol Res 106:289–291

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Magath TB, Mathieson DR (1946) Factors affecting the hatching of ova of Schistosoma japonicum. J Parasitol 32:64–68

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Makhlough A (2008) Water quality characteristics of Mengkuang reservoir based on phytoplankton community structure and physico-chemical analysis. Dissertation, University of Science Malaysia

  • Mazur T, Hadaś E, Iwanicka I (1995) The duration of the cyst stage and the viability and virulence of Acanthamoeba isolates. Trop Med Parasitol 46:106–108

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Okaeme AN (1986) Intestinal helminths of cats in the Kainji Lake area, Nigeria. Vet Res Commun 10:237–240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salem IB, Ouardani I, Hassine M, Aouni M (2011) Bacteriological and physico-chemical assessment of wastewater in different region of Tunisia: impact on human health. BMC Res Notes 4:144

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shuhaimi-Othman M, Mushrifah I, Lim EC, Ahmad A (2008) Trend in metals variation in Tasik Chini, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Environ Monit Assess 143:345–354

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner TS, Thielman NM, Geurrant RL (1997) Protozoal agents: what are the dangers for the public water supply? Annu Rev Med 48:329–340

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNCED (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) (1992) Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources, chap 18. In: Agenda 21: programme of action for sustainable development. http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/bundestag/international/gph/un_habitat/agenda21.pdf. Accessed 11 Mar 2012

  • USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2005) Method 1623: Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water by filtration/IMS/FA. http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/documents/1623de05.pdf. Accessed 11 Mar 2012

  • WHO (World Health Organisation) (2012) Global Health Observatory (GHO): public health and environment. http://www.who.int/gho/phe/en/index.html. Accessed 22 Aug 2012

  • Yap CK, Ismail A, Chiu PK (2007) Water quality and dissolved heavy metal concentrations in surface water collected from Kelana Jaya Lakes. Asian J Water Environ Pollut 4:187–190

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zulkafli AR, Ahmad Ashhar O (2000) Fish fauna in Tasik Kenyir. Freshwater Fisheries Research Centre, Batu Berendam, Melaka, Malaysia. www.fri.gov.my/pppat/kenyirweb. Accessed 12 Aug 2012

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by UM High Impact Research Grant UM-MOHE UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/18 from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, PPP Grant (PV 014/2012A, PV 049/2011B), UMRG 374/11HTM and UMRG 488/12HTM. We also like to thank Dr. Hesham al-Mekhlafi for his insights in the statistical analysis and Mr. Wan Hafiz Wan Ismail as well as Mr. Redzuan Ahmad Naziri for their technical supports.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology (Southeast Asia Water Team), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Subashini Onichandran, Thulasi Kumar, Yvonne A. L. Lim, Hemah Andiappan, Tan Tian Chye, Init Ithoi, Wan Y. W. Sulaiman, Lau Yee Ling & Veeranoot Nissapatorn

  2. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand

    Nongyao Sawangjaroen

  3. Biological Sciences Department, College of Science and Computer Studies, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas, Philippines

    Cristina C. Salibay

  4. School of Science and Technology, Centro Escolar University, Manila, Philippines

    Julieta Z. Dungca

Authors
  1. Subashini Onichandran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thulasi Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yvonne A. L. Lim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nongyao Sawangjaroen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hemah Andiappan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Cristina C. Salibay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tan Tian Chye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Init Ithoi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Julieta Z. Dungca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Wan Y. W. Sulaiman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Lau Yee Ling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Veeranoot Nissapatorn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Veeranoot Nissapatorn.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Onichandran, S., Kumar, T., Lim, Y.A.L. et al. Waterborne parasites and physico-chemical assessment of selected lakes in Malaysia. Parasitol Res 112, 4185–4191 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3610-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3610-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation