الفهرس 
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Abstract
Waterborne protozoal infections are common health problems in many parts of the world especially in developing countries. Water is a major vehicle for transmission of these protozoa such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium spp. as well as pathogenic and opportunistic free-living amoeba (FLAs). They can cause infections in humans and animals. Contaminants in the water can affect the water quality and consequently the human health.
The objective of this study is to detect the presence of some protozoa as Cryptosporidium oocysts , Giardia cysts and free-living amoeba (FLAs) in tap water and storage water tanks from 6 districts at Fayoum governorate (Fayoum, Sennuris, Tamia, Yosef el-sedek, Ibshawai, Itsa) in Egypt. Also to measure water quality factors (bacteriological, Physical and chemical including heavy metals) in distribution network and to assess the relationship between the prevalence of free living amoeba and the water quality factors to ensure good water quality in Fayoum governorate to reduce possible health risks.
Water samples were collected from two water sources (taps and tanks). The samples were processed to detect the presence of Giardia cysts by Lugol’s iodine stain, Cryptosporidium oocysts by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and FLAs by cultivation. Physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters of water were assessed on 68 tap water samples according to methods used by APHA (2005). Some Physicochemical analyses were carried out at the time of sample collection and additional water samples were analyzed in the laboratory. All samples were transmitted immediately using ice box for sample preservation during transportation to the central lab. of Fayoum drinking water and Sanitation Company (FDWaSC) for immediate processing and assayed within 24 h of collection.
Overall, the detection rate of free-living amoebae in tap water samples from January 2015 to December 2015 was 39.7 % (27/68). from May to October 2015, 30 water samples were collected from storage water tanks for detection of free-living amoeba. All water samples collected from tanks (no. = 30) are contaminated with free-living amoeba. Seasonally, the highest detection rates of free living amoebae were recorded during the autumn months (52.9%) followed by spring months (47.1%), summer months (35.3%) and winter months (23.5%). from May to October 2015, water samples were collected from both storage water tanks (n = 30) and tap water from the distribution system (n = 65). The overall detection rates of all water sources (n = 95) were 52.6%, 13.7% for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. lamblia, respectively. Linear correlation analysis showed inverse correlation between the presences of free-living amoebae with temperature (P < 0.05) and there is No significant correlations were found between the occurrence of free-living amoebae in tap water samples and physical parameters (except temperature), chemical parameters including heavy metals. Moreover, there was also no significant correlation between the occurrences of free-living amoebae with bacteriological parameters.
Keywords: Cryptosporidium spp., drinking water, Egypt, Fayoum governorate, free living amoebae, Giardia.