INTRODUCTION: The flagellate protozoan Giardia duodenalis causes infection in humans and in various animals. Eight distinct assemblages (A-H) have been identified within G. duodenalis; assemblages A and B are those specific to humans and animals, and assemblages C to H are restricted to animal hosts. METHODOLOGY: The present study estimated the prevalence of G. duodenalis assemblages in dogs living in the Sardinia region and evaluated the related risk factors. Individual fecal samples were collected from 655 dogs between January 2007 and December 2010, and a form was filled out for each animal to analyze historic data that were available at the time of sampling. Fecal samples were subjected to microscopic and genetic investigations. RESULTS: Cysts of G. duodenalis were found in 172 (26.3%) samples, with significant values in puppies between three and nine months of age, and in kennelled and hunting dogs. The molecular characterization showed the presence of assemblages D (49%), C (36.1%), and subtype A2 (4.2%). CONCLUSION: The present survey contributes to the knowledge of the occurrence of canine giardiosis in Italy in a region with a high number of dogs and numerous animal movements, which is especially relevant for touristic reasons.
INTRODUCTION: The flagellate protozoan Giardia duodenalis causes infection in humans and in various animals. Eight distinct assemblages (A-H) have been identified within G. duodenalis; assemblages A and B are those specific to humans and animals, and assemblages C to H are restricted to animal hosts. METHODOLOGY: The present study estimated the prevalence of G. duodenalis assemblages in dogs living in the Sardinia region and evaluated the related risk factors. Individual fecal samples were collected from 655 dogs between January 2007 and December 2010, and a form was filled out for each animal to analyze historic data that were available at the time of sampling. Fecal samples were subjected to microscopic and genetic investigations. RESULTS: Cysts of G. duodenalis were found in 172 (26.3%) samples, with significant values in puppies between three and nine months of age, and in kennelled and hunting dogs. The molecular characterization showed the presence of assemblages D (49%), C (36.1%), and subtype A2 (4.2%). CONCLUSION: The present survey contributes to the knowledge of the occurrence of canine giardiosis in Italy in a region with a high number of dogs and numerous animal movements, which is especially relevant for touristic reasons.
Authors: Claudia Tamponi; Stephane Knoll; Gabriele Tosciri; Francesco Salis; Giorgia Dessì; Maria Grazia Cappai; Antonio Varcasia; Antonio Scala Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2020-09 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Manuel Adell-Aledón; Pamela C Köster; Aida de Lucio; Paula Puente; Marta Hernández-de-Mingo; Paula Sánchez-Thevenet; María Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela; David Carmena Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2018-01-22 Impact factor: 2.741