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Journal article
The risk of wild birds contaminating source water with zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia is probably overestimated
The Science of the total environment, Vol.912, 169032
2023
PMID: 38123098
Abstract
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important waterborne protozoan parasites that are resistant to disinfectants commonly used for drinking water. Wild birds, especially wild migratory birds, are often implicated in the contamination of source and wastewater with zoonotic diseases, due to their abundance near water and in urban areas and their ability to spread enteric pathogens over long distances. This review summarises the diversity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in birds, with a focus on zoonotic species, particularly in wild and migratory birds, which is critical for understanding zoonotic risks. The analysis revealed that both avian-adapted and zoonotic Cryptosporidium species have been identified in birds but that avian-adapted Cryptosporidium species dominate in wild migratory birds. Few studies have examined Giardia species and assemblages in birds, but the non-zoonotic Giardia psittaci and Giardia ardeae are the most commonly reported species. The identification of zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia in birds, particularly C. parvum and G. duodenalis assemblages A and B in wild migratory birds, is likely due to mechanical carriage or spillback from birds co-grazing pastures contaminated with C. parvum from livestock. Therefore, the role of wild migratory birds in the transmission of zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia to source water is likely overestimated. To address knowledge gaps, it is important to conduct more extensive studies on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in a broader range of migratory wild birds. There is also a need to investigate the extent to which zoonotic infections with C. hominis/C. parvum and G. duodenalis assemblages A and B are mechanical and/or transient, and to assess the load and viability of zoonotic oo/cysts shed in avian faeces. Understanding the contribution of birds to zoonoses is essential for effective disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
Details
- Title
- The risk of wild birds contaminating source water with zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia is probably overestimated
- Authors/Creators
- Siobhon Egan - Harry Butler Institute, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: Siobhon.Egan@murdoch.edu.auAmanda D BarbosaYaoyu Feng - Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaLihua Xiao - Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaUna Ryan - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- The Science of the total environment, Vol.912, 169032
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Identifiers
- 991005621079207891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine; School of Agricultural Sciences; School of Veterinary Medicine; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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