Table 2.2.
The potential waterborne pathogens.
| Pathogen | Disease | Mode of transmission |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | ||
| Helicobacter pylori | Gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcer disease, and gastric carcinoma | Oral–oral or fecal–oral transmission |
| Aeromonas hydrophila | Gastroenteritis, septicemia, meningitis, and wound infections, intestinal disorders in children | Ingestion of contaminated water or food, through skin |
| Leptospira sp. | Leptospirosis | Through water contaminated by urine from infected animals |
| Tsukamurella sp. | Pulmonary and cutaneous infections, meningitis | Through clinical instruments such as catheters or lesions |
| Bacillus sp. | Diarrhea | Through drinking water |
| Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins | Gastrointestinal symptoms, skin rashes, kidney disease | Through drinking water, bathing in contaminated water |
| Virusesa | ||
| Alphatorquevirus | Asymptomatic. May be associated with hepatitis, pulmonary diseases, hematologic disorders, myopathy, and lupus | Fecal–oral route |
| Cyclovirus | Systemic infections may play a role in development of paraplegia | Fecal–oral and foodborne transmission |
| Erythroparvovirus | Fifth disease in children, arthropathy, hepatitis | Respiratory route |
| Bocaparvovirus | Gastroenteritis, related to respiratory infections | Respiratory and fecal–oral routes |
| Protoparvovirus | Gastroenteritis | Respiratory and fecal–oral routes |
| Alphapapillomavirus | Cervix, penis, anus, and vulva cancers | Direct skin-to-skin or skin-to-mucosa contact |
| Betapapillomavirus | Related to genital warts | Direct skin-to-skin or skin-to-mucosa contact |
| Picobirnavirus | May be implicated in gastroenteritis | Fecal–oral route |
| Betapolyomavirus | Progressive multifocal encephalopathy | Fecal–oral route |
| Alphapolyomavirus | Associated to Merkel cell carcinoma | Fecal–oral route |
| Protozoa | ||
| Microsporidia | Microsporidiosis | Fecal–oral transmission |
| Cyclospora cayetanensis | Diarrheal illness, gastroenteritis | Fecal–oral transmission |
| Cystoisospora belli | Cystoisosporiasis | Fecal–oral transmission |
| Helminths | ||
| Schistosoma sp. | Schistosomiasis, liver and kidney damage | Penetrate the skin during contact with infested water |
a
Adapted from Table 2.2 in summary of excreted and waterborne viruses (Rusinol and Girones, 2017).