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Analysis of institutional authors

Alonso J.l.AuthorAlonso, JlAuthor

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Identification of Cryptosporidium parvum and Blastocystis hominis subtype ST3 in Cholga mussel and treated sewage: Preliminary evidence of fecal contamination in harvesting area

Publicated to:Food And Waterborne Parasitology. 34 e00214- - 2024-03-01 34(), DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00214

Authors: Suarez, P; Vallejos-Almirall, A; Fernández, I; Gonzalez-Chavarria, I; Alonso, JL; Vidal, G

Affiliations

Univ Concepcion, Ctr Biotecnol, Grp Interdisciplinario Biotecnol Marina GIBMAR - Author
Univ Concepcion, Fac Ciencias Biol, Lab Lipoprot & Canc - Author
Univ Concepcion, Fac Ciencias Biol, Lab Parasitol - Author
Univ Politecn Valencia, Inst Ingn Agua & Medio Ambiente - Author
Water Res Ctr Agr & Min CRHIAM, ANID Fondap Ctr, Victoria 1295 - Author
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Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum and Blastocystis hominis are foodborne parasites known for causing diarrhea. They accumulate in mussels grown on contaminated water bodies, due to the discharge of treated sewage from sewage treatment plants (STP). Despite this, some countries like Chile do not include these parasites in the control or monitoring of sewage water. The objective of this research was to evaluate the contamination of C. parvum. and B. hominis from treated sewage (disinfected by chlorination) and Cholga mussels in a touristic rural cove from the bay of Concepci ' on. Cholga mussels from commercial stores and a treated sewage sample were analyzed. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified by Ziehl-Neelsen-Staining (ZNS) and C. parvum by directimmunofluorescence assay (IFA) from ZNS-positive samples. Blastocystis hominis was identified by PCR using locus SSU rDNA. C. parvum and B. hominis subtype ST3 were found in 40% and 45% of Cholga mussel samples, respectively, and both parasites were identified in the treated sewage. Blastocystis hominis SSU rDNA gene alignment from Cholga mussels and treated sewage showed 89% of similarity, indicating that could be the same parasite in both samples. We describe the first evidence of possible contamination with these parasites from treated sewage to Cholga mussel suggesting an environmental contamination with high human risk. Based on these results, further studies will consider all the rural coves and STP from the bay to prevent possible contamination of these parasites.

Keywords

ArticleBlastocystis hominisChemical oxygen demandChileContaminationCryptosporidiumCryptosporidium parvumDiarrheaDna extractionFecal contaminationFlotationFoodborneGiardiaHarvestingHepatopancreasImmunofluorescence assayImmunomagnetic separationIodateMost probable number methodMusselNonhumanOocystsOutbreaksParasiteProtozoan parasitesRibosome dnaSewageSewage treatment plantShellfishUpdateWaterborneWaterborne transmission

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Food And Waterborne Parasitology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 12/45, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Parasitology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 3.12, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-22, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 3
  • Scopus: 5
  • OpenCitations: 4

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-22:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 33 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Chile.