Biodynamic and ecology of Human enteropathogenic Microsporidian spores in groundwater in the municipalities of Mbankomo and Soa in Center Region (Cameroon) and health risks of immunocompromised patient

Abstract In order to assess the biodynamic and environmental factors of Human enteropathogenic Microsporidia spores present in the groundwater in Mbankomo and Soa municipalities (Center region of Cameroon), a study was carried out on a sample of eight (8) wells and eight ( 8) springs regularly used by the population, from August 2018 to August 2019. The physico-chemical analysis was carried out both in the fields and at the Hydrobiology and Environment laboratory of the University of Yaoundé I. The microsporidian spores observation were made at the 100X objective based on the use of Weber's technique. The physico-chemical parameters show that these waters are slightly acid (6.21 ± 0.09 US) with high values of turbidity ​​ (24.88 ± 16.09 FTU). The biological analysis showed variations in shapes within the same species and between species on one hand and identical forms between species on the other hand. In this study, two microsporidian species were characterized with average densities of 193 ± 93 spores/L (45%) and 227 ± 127 spores/L (55%) for Enterocytozoon bieneusi ([1 - 1.6] x [0.7 - 1.2])µm, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis ([1.8 - 2.4 x [1.2-2.0]) µm respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant and positive correlations between the densities of spores and dissolved oxygen (P ˂ 0.05). The Mann-Whitney test revealed significant differences in microsporidian spores densities seasonally with great values on the short rainy season. Furthermore, this study shows that the consumption of untreated water from wells and springs is of health risks and prove the important of Microsporidia to monitor the quality of drinking water.