Entamoeba histolytica in Different Water Sources of Niğde Province of Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the presence of Entamoeba histolytica in water sources of Niğde province in Turkey, between June and November 2021.

A total of 90 water samples were taken from 15 different water sources (drinking water, well water, spring water, wastewater and dam water) every month and the presence of E. histolytica antigens in the samples was examined by ELISA.

The positivity for E. histolytica was determined in 7 (7.7%) of 90 samples. While no antigens were found in any of the samples in June and September, E. histolytica was positive for three samples (20%) in July, one sample (6.6%) in August and October and two samples in November (13.3%). One of 24 dam samples (4.1%), 1 of 12 wastewater samples (8.3%), 1 of 12 well samples (8.3%), and 4 of 24 fountain samples (16.6%) that examined by ELISA were found positive. On the other hand, none of the examined 18 spring samples were positive. In addition, 4 (8.8%) of 45 samples that examined in summer and 3 (6.6%) of 45 samples that examined in autumn were detected positive by using ELISA. Entamoeba histolytica positivity in samples was statistically insignificant in terms of months, water resources and seasons (P > 0.05).

As a result, the presence of E. histolytica, which is an important public health problem in water sources, was determined for the first time in Niğde province of Türkiye with this study.