Cryptosporidium in bivalves as indicators of fecal pollution in the California coastal ecosystem

Cryptosporidium in bivalves were detected as indicators of fecal pollution in the California coastal ecosystem. The Cryptosporidium in mussels were collected at high risk fecal exposure sites but not in mussels collected from low risk sites. Several genotypes of Cryptosporidium were detected, including C. parvum, C. felis, and C. andersoni. The data analyzed supported the fact that bivalve shellfish may be useful bioindicators of fecal contamination in aquatic environments, and that the sources of fecal contamination might include domestic animals, livestock, wildlife, and humans.