Contamination of irrigation systems of dental units with Cryptosporidium species in Alexandria, Egypt: a neglected disinfection pitfall

ntamination of irrigation systems of dental units with Cryptosporidium species in Alexandria, Egypt: a neglected disinfection pitfall Short Report (1380) Total Article Views Authors: Hassan A, Farouk H, Abdul-Ghani R, Hassanein F Published Date August 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 93 - 95 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S35257 Received: 21 June 2012 Accepted: 06 July 2012 Published: 17 August 2012 Azza Hassan,1 Hanan Farouk,1 Rashad Abdul-Ghani,2,3 Faika Hassanein1 1Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 2Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 3Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen Purpose: To investigate the contamination of the dental irrigation systems with Cryptosporidium species in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: Forty water samples from all 20 working dental irrigation machines in a dental center in Alexandria were included in the study. Water samples were taken from the handpieces of dental irrigation machines in all studied units. After filtration through a membrane filter, water sample residues were stained using modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining and examined microscopically for Cryptosporidium spp. Results: Cryptosporidium spp. was found as a contaminant in 27.5% of water samples taken from dental irrigation machines. Conclusion: This indicates a contamination by the public water supplies to which these dental irrigation machines are connected. This disinfection pitfall may pose an infection risk to those seeking dental care.