Environmental Monitoring and Analysis of Faecal Contamination in an Urban Setting in the City of Bari (Apulia Region, Italy): Health and Hygiene Implications

Author： Tarsitano Elvira   Greco Grazia   Decaro Nicola   Nicassio Francesco   Lucente Maria Stella   Buonavoglia Canio   Tempesta Maria  

Publisher： MDPI

E-ISSN： 1660-4601|7|11|3972-3986

ISSN： 1660-4601

Source： International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.7, Iss.11, 2010-11, pp. : 3972-3986

Access to resources Favorite

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Few studies have been conducted in Italy to quantify the potential risk associated with dynamics and distribution of pathogens in urban settings. The aim of this study was to acquire data on the environmental faecal contamination in urban ecosystems, by assessing the presence of pathogens in public areas in the city of Bari (Apulia region, Italy). To determine the degree of environmental contamination, samples of dog faeces and bird guano were collected from different areas in the city of Bari (park green areas, playgrounds, public housing areas, parkways, and a school). A total of 152 canine faecal samples, in 54 pools, and two samples of pigeon guano from 66 monitored sites were examined. No samples were found in 12 areas spread over nine sites. Chlamydophila psittaci was detected in seven canine and two pigeon guano samples. Salmonella species were not found. On the other hand, four of 54 canine faecal samples were positive for reovirus. Thirteen canine faecal samples were positive for parasite eggs: 8/54 samples contained Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina eggs and 5/54 samples contained Ancylostoma caninum eggs. Our study showed that public areas are often contaminated by potentially zoonotic pathogens.

Related content

Mapping Environmental Inequalities Relevant for Health for Informing Urban Planning Interventions—A Case Study in the City of Dortmund, Germany

By Flacke Johannes   Schüle Steffen Andreas   Köckler Heike   Bolte Gabriele  

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 13, Iss. 7, 2016-07 ,pp. : 711-711 (1)

MDPI

Access to resources Recommend Favorite

Environmental Contamination by Dog’s Faeces: A Public Health Problem?

By Cinquepalmi Vittoria   Monno Rosa   Fumarola Luciana   Ventrella Gianpiero   Calia Carla   Greco Maria Fiorella   de Vito Danila   Soleo Leonardo  

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 10, Iss. 1, 2012-12 ,pp. : 72-84 (13)

MDPI

Access to resources Recommend Favorite

A Simple Microbiological Tool to Evaluate the Effect of Environmental Health Interventions on Hand Contamination

By Devamani Carol   Norman Guy   Schmidt Wolf-Peter  

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 11, Iss. 11, 2014-11 ,pp. : 11846-11859 (14)

MDPI

Access to resources Recommend Favorite

Faecal Pathogen Flows and Their Public Health Risks in Urban Environments: A Proposed Approach to Inform Sanitation Planning

By Mills Freya   Willetts Juliet   Petterson Susan   Mitchell Cynthia   Norman Guy  

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 15, Iss. 2, 2018-01 ,pp. : 181-181 (1)

MDPI

Access to resources Recommend Favorite

Blood Lead Levels in Children and Environmental Lead Contamination in Miami Inner City, Florida

By Gasana Janvier   Hlaing WayWay M.   Siegel Kristy A.   Chamorro Armando   Niyonsenga Theophile  

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol. 3, Iss. 3, 2006-09 ,pp. : 228-234 (7)

MDPI

Access to resources Recommend Favorite