title: Human parasitic protozoa in drinking water sources in rural Zimbabwe and their link to HIV infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to perform a risk assessment in a rural setting, where drinking water is obtained from both protected and unprotected deep or shallow wells, boreholes and springs. Water is consumed untreated and this poses a risk of acquiring waterborne infections that may cause diarrhea.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 113 study participants who volunteered in Chiweshe rural community (Musarara village) in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. There were 34 (30%) males and 79 (70%) females with ages ranging from 2 to 89 years. HIV counseling was carried out at the communal meeting and testing was done at home visits. Stool and drinking water samples were collected from 104 subjects. Routine laboratory methods were used to examine for parasitic infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 29 (25.7%) of participants were confirmed HIV positive using 2 rapid serology tests; eighty-four (74.3%) were negative. Diarrheic stool samples were observed in 17 (16.3%) participants and of these 5 (29.4%) were HIV seropositive. Several parasites were isolated from stool samples: G. duodenalis 6 (5.7%), E. histolytica/dispar 19 (18.2%), C. parvum, 8 (7.6%) and C. cayetanensis 23 (22.1%). Eleven out of 30 (36.6%) water bodies had protozoan parasites: G. duodenalis 2 (6.6%), E. histolytica 4 (13.3%), C. parvum 1 (3.3%), C. cayetanensis 3 (10%), E. coli 1 (3.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The water sources were being used without treatment and were shown to pose a risk for acquiring diarrheagenic protozoan parasites.
authors.affiliation: PhD, National Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Southerton, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Sekesai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mtapuri-Zinyowera
authors.affiliation: MSc, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Vurayai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ruhanya
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Midzi
authors.affiliation: BSc, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Chipo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berejena
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Nyasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chin'ombe
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zimbabwe, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Pasipanodya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nziramasanga
authors.affiliation: MSc, Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nyandoro
authors.affiliation: PhD, Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Takafira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mduluza
keywords: Diarrhea; HIV/AIDS; drinking water; parasitic protozoa