Occurrence of bacteria, protozoans and metazoans in waters from two semi-urbanized areas of Cameroon

This study was based on the assessment of the physico-chemical indicators of water quality and the enumeration of bacteria (total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococcus, and Escherichia coli), entero-pathogenic protozoans (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora, and Isospora), helminth eggs and the distribution of ciliated protozoa which are biological indicators of aquatic pollution. The mean abundances of total coliforms varied from 882 CFU/100 mL (wells) to 946 CFU/100 mL (springs) in the Obala area, and from 813 CFU/100 mL (springs) to 1056 CFU/100 mL (wells) in the Monatélé area. Giardia sp., Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium sp. were the most abundant emerging intestinal protozoa isolated, while Metopus ovatus, and Caenomorpha medusula, were prominent indicators of the level of aquatic contamination that were identified in our study. These results revealed a deteriorating quality of the water exploited by these semi-urbanized communities, and a high sanitary risk that was linked to the presence of the numerous pathogens identified in the water samples analyzed.