Page 60 - AQ242MP WW NO-CAL-2242-01-0519-water seminar

WATERBORNE PATHOGENS - EPA EXCERPT

Below is an excerpt from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) explaining the differences in bacteria, viruses
and cysts (protozoa) and the types of waterborne diseases they are associated with.
Microorganisms Associated with Waterborne Disease

The following groups of microorganisms have been linked with the occurrence of waterborne disease. As each
pathogen is isolated and identified as a threat to water quality, ORD (Office of Research and Development)
researchers try to discover the most effective combination of barriers and disinfection methods to minimize risk of
human exposure.

Bacteria. Bacteria are the most widely distributed life forms. Pathogenic bacteria
range in length from approximately [400 nanometers to 14,000 nanometers]
and [200 nanometers to 1,200 nanometers] in width. Key bacterial pathogens
responsible for waterborne disease include Legionella, Salmonella typhi, Shigella,
and Vibrio cholerae.

Viruses. Viruses are inactive when outside of a living host cell. Viruses linked to
waterborne disease have protein coats that provide protection from environmental
hazards and range in size from [20 nanometers to 90 nanometers]. Unlike
bacteria and protozoa, they contain only one type of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA).
Key pathogens include hepatitis A and Norwalk virus.

Protozoa. Protozoa, common in bodies of water, are much larger than bacteria
and viruses. To survive harsh environmental conditions, some species can
secrete a protective covering and form a resting stage called a “cyst.” Encystment
can protect protozoa from drinking water disinfection efforts and facilitate the
spread of disease. Key protozoa being studied as agents of waterborne disease
include Giardia and Cryptosporidium [4,000 nanometers to 15,000 nanometers ].
1
[Measurement converted from original text]

Some Disease Microbial Agent General Symptoms
Waterborne Protozoan Abdominal disconfort, fatige,
Diseases of Amebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica) diarrhea, flatulence, weight loss
Concern in the Campylobacteriosis Bacterium Fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea
U.S.A. (Campylobacter jejuni)
Bacterium Watery diarrhea, vomiting,
Cholera
(Vibrio cholerae) occasional muscle cramps
Protozoan
Text is an excerpt from: Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium parvum) Diarrhea, abdominal disconfort
United States Environmental
Protection Agency Protozoan
Giardiasis Diarrhea, abdominal disconfort
Preventing Waterborne (Giardia lamblia)
Disease EPA/640/K-93/001
http://www.epa.gov/ Hepatitis Virus Fever, chills, abdominal disconfort,
nerlcwww/h2odis.pdf (Hepatitis A) jaundice, dark urine
1. Centers for Disease Control Bacterium
and Prevention, “The Pre-Travel Shigellosis Fever, diarrhea, bloody stool
Consultation/Counseling & (Shigella species)
Advice for Travelers” Fever, headache, constipation, appetite
http://goo.gl/zKPSv Typhoid fever Bacterium loss, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting,
(27 Oct. 2011) (Salmonella typhi) appearance of an abdominal rash
Viruses Fever, headache, gastrointestinal
Viral Gastroenteritis
(Norwalk, rotavirus and other types) disconfort, vomiting, diarrhea

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