Review Article

Megacities as Sources for Pathogenic Bacteria in Rivers and Their Fate Downstream

Table 1

Important agents of water-borne diseases.

AgentDisease

Bacteria
Vibrio cholerae Cholera, diarrhea, cramps
Vibrio vulnificus, V.  alginolyticus, V.  parahaemolyticus Diarrhea, nausea, cramps
Escherichia coli STEC  etc.Diarrhea, feces with blood, vomiting (shigellosis)
Salmonella typhi Fever, diarrhea, delirium
Chlostridium botulinum Botulism, respiratory failure
Legionella pneumophila Pontiac fever, Legionares’ disease, pneumonia
Leptospira spp. Meningitis, jaundice, renal failure, head ache
Wolbachia pipientis River blindness when released from Onchocerca volvulus

Virus
 AdenovirusPneumonia, croup, bronchitis
 Hepatitis A virusJaundice, fatigue, fever, diarrhea
 PoliovirusPoliomyelitis, headache, fever, spastic paralysis
 PolyomavirusRespiratory infection, leukoencephalopathy
 NorovirusVomiting, nausea, cramps

Protozoa
Entamoeba histolytica Diarrhea, fatigue, fever
Cryptosporidium parvum Flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, nausea
Giardia lamblia Diarrhea

Parasites
Plasmodium spp. Malaria, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes
Schistosoma spp.Bilharziasis, itching, fever, cough
Dracunculus medinensis Nausea, diarrhea, allergic reaction
Taenia spp.Cysticercosis, loss of weight
Fasciolopsis buski Diarrhea, liver enlargement, cholangitis, jaundice
Hymenolepis nana Abdominal pain, nervous manifestation
Echinococcus granulosus Liver enlargement, jaundice
Ascaris lumbricoides Inflammation, fever, diarrhea, nausea
Enterobius vermicularis Itching, hyperactivity, insomnia
Onchocerca volvulus River blindness, itching, blindness