Isolation of Giardia from a llama and from sheep.

Giardia cysts were detected in feces of a domestic llama (Lama glama) and in feces of lambs (Ovis aries) from Wisconsin, U.S.A. All of the animals examined were immature, and they had recent histories of poor condition and passing unformed or semiformed, pale stools. Giardia cysts from both host species were excysted in vitro, and the trophozoites were cultivated axenically. Furthermore, Giardia cysts from both sources were shown to produce infection in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unquiculatus). The finding of Giardia in the llama represents a new host recorded for this parasite. Also, this is the first report of Giardia-infected sheep from the Western Hemisphere.