title: Cryptosporidium and Giardia in wild otters (Lutra lutra).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Parasitología, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Méndez-Hermida
authors.forename: Hipólito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gómez-Couso
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero-Suances
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ares-Mazás
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D005872:Giardia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D010041:Otters / Q000469:parasitology*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D011634:Public Health; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D015047:Zoonoses
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D014867:Water