Date: 27 October 2025
Time: 11:00-13:00
Location: ZOOM & SALA FRAGA DE AZEVEDO
Between 2016 and 2023, a comprehensive study was conducted in western Romania to assess the presence of water- and meat-borne protozoan pathogens of public health relevance. Surface waters, including 24 major rivers and 76 additional water bodies—such as wastewater effluents, brooks, irrigation channels, lakes, and ponds—were investigated for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. Parallel surveys were carried out in livestock and game animals intended for human consumption to quantify the occurrence of Sarcocystis cysts.
Water samples were processed using microfiber filtration and immunomagnetic separation according to US EPA Method 1623, followed by immunofluorescence microscopy and PCR-based molecular characterisation. Giardia duodenalis cysts were detected in up to 41.5% of river samples and were widespread in treated wastewater (90.1%), brooks (26.3%), irrigation channels (37.5%), lakes (31.2%), and ponds (36.4%). Zoonotic assemblages, particularly AII and E, predominated across most water sources. Cryptosporidium oocysts were less frequent but were detected in rivers (7.5%) and wastewater (27.3%), with C. parvum subtypes IIaA16G1R1, IIaA15G2R1, and IIdA18G1 identified, indicating human-infective potential.
Animal surveys revealed high prevalence of Sarcocystis in wild boars (60.4%) and domestic pigs (23.4%), all of which were identified as S. miescheriana, while 17.9% of slaughtered cattle were infected with S. cruzi. Although the zoonotic species S. suihominis was not detected, these results highlight the potential for zoonotic transmission through traditional pork products and grazing cattle systems.
Overall, the study demonstrates the widespread occurrence of Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Sarcocystis spp. in aquatic environments and food-animal reservoirs in western Romania. The detection of human-infective genotypes emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and targeted interventions to protect both public and animal health.
About Mirela Imre
Professor Mirela Imre is a researcher at the Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Romania. She holds a PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences and has over 16 years of experience in the study of parasitic zoonoses. Her research focuses on the molecular, morphological, and epidemiological characterization of protozoan pathogens such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma, Neospora, Sarcocystis, and Babesia in humans, animals, and water sources.
Dr. Mirela Imre has built a distinguished career spanning veterinary medicine, molecular parasitology, and public health, advancing from veterinary practitioner to leading researcher in zoonotic protozoan diseases. Her work supports improved surveillance, diagnosis, and control of protozoan parasites at the human–animal–environment interface.
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