Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXVII, Issue 1
Written by Marie-Monique SORAN, Mariana IONITA, Ioan Liviu MITREA
Giardia duodenalis, a flagellate protozoan with potential zoonotic risk, is one of the frequent causes of diarrhea in animals and humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of G. duodenalis infections and associated risk factors in carnivores. For this, a total of 107 client-owned animals living in Bucharest area (Southeast Romania), including 89 dogs and 18 cats with a history of digestive disorders, were included in the study. Animals were of different breeds and different ages; dogs aged between 2 months and 13 years (average 3.08 years; standard deviation - SD = 3.06) whereas cats aged between 5 months and 16 years (average 3.12 years; SD = 3.07). Fresh fecal samples were collected and tested for the presence of coproantigen (Ag) of G. duodenalis using a commercially available rapid immuno-chromatographic test. Additionally, a subset of 55 fecal samples (44 from dogs and 11 from cats) were subjected for a copro-parasitological examination for detection of Giardia cysts and other parasitic elements (protozoan oocysts, helminth eggs), using zinc sulphate flotation method. Overall, 21.4% and 5.6% of dogs and cats, respectively, were positive for G. duodenalis copro-Ag. Furthermore, 31.8% of the 44 copro-parasitologically tested dogs were positive for parasitic infections, of which 20.5% (9/44) were positive for G. duodenalis cysts, as single 11.4% (5/44) or mixed 9.1% (4/44) infections with other intestinal parasites, such as Isospora spp., Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis. All 11 cats tested negative by coproscopy. A good correlation between the Ag rapid test and microscopic identification of cysts for Giardia infection was registered. These findings confirm G. duodenalis and other intestinal parasites as causative agents of enteric disorders in client-owned dogs and cats and emphasize on potential zoonotic risks.
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