Consumption of mussels and presence of Giardia spp. in humans in two coastal neighborhoods of Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Giardia spp. may be acquired by consuming contaminated food. Mytilus edulis is a filtering organism, and
the inhabitants of the Patagonian coasts frequently collect it. The aim of the research was to evaluate the association between mussel consumption and presence of Giardia spp. in humans in two coastal neighborhoods of Comodoro Rivadavia (Chubut  province, Argentina) during March-December 2018. METHODS: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was  carried out in Caleta Córdova and Stella Maris neighborhoods. The selection of the population under study was non- probabilistic for collection by consecutive cases and met the inclusion criteria. A total of 100 human fecal samples (hfs) and 284  mussels (46 pools) were collected. The samples, processed by sedimentation and analyzed by light microscope, were later  confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF). Epidemiological and sociodemographic variables were analyzed. RESULTS:  Giardia spp. was detected in 15% of the hfs and 33% of the mussel pools, in both neighborhoods. Samples were confirmed by  DIF. There was a statistically significant association between intake of mussels and presence of Giardia spp. in hfs: Chi2=12.734 (2gl), p=0.008 and OR: 4.50 (CI: 1.24-3.20; p=0.027). DISCUSSION: This is the first report of Giardia spp. in mussels in Argentina,  and it shows that there is a relation between the mussel intake and the presence of the parasite in the population under study.