Outbreaks of cercarialdermatitis which occurred in recreational lakes in the Netherlands were studied and a method for direct rapid detection of the parasite Trichobilharzia in water samples was developed. A standardized questionnaire with questions on health complaints and exposure was distributed to individuals who developed symptoms of cercarialdermatitis after visiting fresh water lakes. Snails from the suspected lakes were examined for the presence of Trichobilharzia by microscopy and PCR. Water samples were concentrated by filtration and examined by PCR. Water quality was tested according to European Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEG. Trichobilharzia was detected in snails and water samples from lakes which met European bathing water standards. Despite a response of 25.5%, epidemiological data suggested that longer and more frequent exposure to the water resulted in increased reporting of symptoms of cercarialdermatitis and confirmed the importance of exposure as a risk factor. A novel method for direct detection of Trichobilharzia, which includes concentration of water samples by filtration and detection of the parasite by PCR proved to be a valuable and simple tool for confirmation of presumptive outbreaks, particularly when snails could not be found in the suspected water and public health protecting measures were necessary.
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Research Article|
January 01 2008
Cercarial dermatitis in the Netherlands caused by Trichobilharzia spp.
F. M. Schets;
1National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Microbiological Laboratory for Health Protection, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 30 274 3929 Fax: +31 30 274 4434; E-mail: [email protected]
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W. J. Lodder;
W. J. Lodder
1National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Microbiological Laboratory for Health Protection, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Y. T. H. P. van Duynhoven;
Y. T. H. P. van Duynhoven
1National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Microbiological Laboratory for Health Protection, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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A. M. de Roda Husman
A. M. de Roda Husman
1National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Microbiological Laboratory for Health Protection, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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J Water Health (2008) 6 (2): 187–195.
Article history
Received:
January 22 2007
Accepted:
April 06 2007
Citation
F. M. Schets, W. J. Lodder, Y. T. H. P. van Duynhoven, A. M. de Roda Husman; Cercarial dermatitis in the Netherlands caused by Trichobilharzia spp.. J Water Health 1 June 2008; 6 (2): 187–195. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2008.028
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