ABSTRACT
The occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium was investigated in cetacean specimens stranded on the northwestern coast of Spain (European Atlantic coast) by analysis of 65 samples of large intestine from eight species. The parasites were identified by direct immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and by PCR amplification of the ß-giardin gene, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and the SSU-rDNA gene of Giardia and the SSU-rDNA gene of Cryptosporidium. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were detected in 7 (10.8 %) and 9 samples (13.8 %), respectively. In two samples, co-infection with both parasites was observed. Giardia duodenalis assemblages A, C, D and F, and Cryptosporidium parvum were identified. This is the first report of G. duodenalis in Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Kogia breviceps and Stenella coeruleoalba and also the first report of Cryptosporidium sp. in B. acutorostrata and of C. parvum in S. coeruleoalba and Tursiops truncatus. These results extend the known host range of these waterborne enteroparasites.
Subject(s)
Coinfection , Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification , Fish Diseases/epidemiology , Giardia/isolation & purification , Giardiasis/veterinary , Animals , Atlantic Ocean/epidemiology , Base Sequence , Cetacea , Coinfection/veterinary , Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , Cryptosporidium/classification , Cryptosporidium/genetics , Cryptosporidium parvum/genetics , DNA, Protozoan/chemistry , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Female , Fish Diseases/parasitology , Giardia/classification , Giardia/genetics , Giardia lamblia/genetics , Giardiasis/epidemiology , Giardiasis/parasitology , Humans , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Sequence Analysis, DNA/veterinary , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
A total of 437 faecal samples from wild otter (Lutra lutra) were collected from 161 sites in Galicia (northwest Spain) and were analysed by a direct immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts and Giardia sp. cysts were detected in 17 (3.9%) and 30 (6.8%) samples, respectively. The results demonstrate that otters may contribute to the contamination of watercourses, although further studies are required to establish which species or genotypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infect these animals and also the significance in terms of public health.