SUMMARY: Faecal samples were obtained from 433 wild birds being treated in wildlife recovery centres in Galicia (Northwest Spain), between February 2007 and September 2009. The birds belonged to 64 species representing 17 different orders.Giardiacysts andCryptosporidiumoocysts were detected by an immunofluorescence antibody test and identified at the molecular level by established PCR-sequencing methods. The overall prevalence ofGiardiawas 2·1% and that ofCryptosporidium, 8·3%. To our knowledge, this is the first description ofGiardiasp. inTyto albaandCaprimulgus europaeus; and ofCryptosporidiumsp. inApus apus, Athene noctua, C. europaeus, Falco tinnunculus, Morus bassanus, Parabuteo unicinctusandStrix aluco. Furthermore, the first PCR-sequence confirmed detection ofGiardia duodenalisassemblage B in,Buteo buteo, Coturnix coturnixandPica pica; G. duodenalisassemblage D inGarrulus glandarius; andG. duodenalisassemblage F inAnas platyrhynchos; Cryptosporidium parvuminAccipiter nisus, B. buteo, Milvus migrans, Pernis apivorusandP. pica; andCryptosporidium meleagridisinStreptopelia turtur. The study findings demonstrate the wide spread ofGiardiaandCryptosporidiumbetween wild birds.

Cryptosporidium contamination was evaluated in areas in Galicia (northwestern Spain) where bivalve molluscs are harvested. Galicia is the main mussel-producing region in Europe. Data were collected on water contamination of effluents that are discharged into these areas. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy and molecular methods in 71% of the river water samples (n = 7), 64% of raw sewage samples (n = 11), 50% of effluents from wastewater treatment plants (n = 16), and 29.3% of the mussel samples (Mytilus galloprovincialis, n = 184). Cryptosporidium parvum was identified in all samples of contaminated mussels, Cryptosporidium muris was found in three samples of effluent from wastewater treatment plants, and Cryptosporidium baileyi was found in a sample of raw sewage. Further studies are needed to determine the parasitological quality of water in these shellfish harvesting and recreational areas. Cryptosporidium could be a public health risk from consumption of raw or underco...