In this study, 107 fecal specimens were collected from 40 sampling sites in Taiwan livestock and avian farms to test for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Ten of 107 samples analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed the presence of Cryptosporidium spp., among which 6 samples were simultaneously confirmed by immunofluorescence assay and polymerase chain reaction. Nucleic acid sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene identified 3 clusters of Cryptosporidium spp. Three Cryptosporidium parvum isolates were from cattle and sheep feces. One Cryptosporidium andersoni isolate was detected from pig feces. The other 2 novel Cryptosporidium genotypes were not similar to any known Cryptosporidium spp. according to the DNA sequences of the 18S rRNA gene.

In this study, 107 fecal specimens were collected from 40 sampling sites in Taiwan livestock and avian farms to test for Giardia cysts. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescent microscopic examination were performed as a presumption test and confirmation test, respectively. Eight out of 107 samples analyzed by ELISA showed the presence of Giardia, among which six samples were confirmed by immunofluorescent microscopic examination, and four samples were reconfirmed by polymerase chain reaction method. Giardia species were identified by nucleic acid sequencing method of beta-giardin gene. Two Giardia duodenalis assemblage A isolates and E isolates were all detected from cattle feces. This is the first identification of genotypes of G. duodenalis in the feces of feeding animals in Taiwan.