Bottled Mineral Waters Polluted by Protozoa in Mexico |
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Authors: | FERMÍN RIVERA MATILDE GALVÁN ESPERANZA ROBLES PILAR LEAL LETICIA GONZÁLEZ ANA MARÍA LACY |
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Institution: | Training Department, Research and Training Center for the Control of Water Quality (CIECCA), San BernabéNo. 549;Laboratory of Protozoology, Faculty of Sciences, U.N.A.M., University City, México 20. D.F., México;School of Chemistry, Universidad La Salle, Benjamín Franklin No. 47, México 18, D.F., México |
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Abstract: | A survey of protozoa polluting bottled mineral water in Mexico was carried out using samples obtained from the three best-selling brands of bottled mineral water in the country. The organisms were concentrated through filtration procedures and subsequently cultured in sterile media. The cultures were observed over four weeks, with identification to the level of genus and species. Most commonly found were the amoebae Naegleria gruberi, Acanthamoeba astronyxis, and Vahlkampfia vahlkampfi (trophic as well as cystic stages) plus one flagellate, Bodomorpha minima. No ciliates were detected. The public health importance of the findings is obvious, since some strains of Naegleria and Acanthamoeba have the potential to cause human disease that may lead to death. |
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