Canine giardiosis in Sardinia Island, Italy: prevalence, molecular characterization, and risk factors

Fukuda

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

et al. 2018

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, genotypes/assemblages and possible risk factors associated with Giardia duodenalis infection in dogs in central Vietnam. A total of 209 dog fecal samples, randomly collected from private owned dogs (n=105) and dogs from stores (n=104), were examined for Giardia cysts by microscopy. Positive samples were genotyped by PCR-sequence analysis of β-giardin and triosephosphate isomerase genes markers. Risk factors were studied using a structured questionnaire and collected data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results indicated that the overall infection rate was 8.6% (18/209) with the detected parasites were belonging to the non-zoonotic assemblages C and D. Age, gender and origin of animals were the main risk factors associated with G. duodenalis infection in dogs under study. Occurrence of infection was more likely in young animals compared to old ones and in females compared to males. Dogs originated from stores were more prone to Giardia infection compared to private owned counterparts.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…[ 6 ] in Japan. This might be linked to the possibility of frequent exposure of old animals to infection which might provide some sort of protection [ 15 ]. Thus, separating the dogs <12 months of age from older animals might be an effective way to reduce exposure to Giardia parasite within the dogs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, genotyping and risk factors of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> from dogs in Vietnam

Fukuda

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

et al. 2018

“…Because none of the G. duodenalis isolates obtained from pet dogs in the present survey could be genotyped at the assemblage level, more research should be conducted to elucidate the actual role of domestic dogs as natural reservoirs of human giardiosis. Finally, hunting dogs exhibited the lowest (20.6%) G. duodenalis infection rate, a figure in the lower range of those (20–30%) reported in similar studies conducted in Spain [ 19 ] and Italy [ 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Sheltered and breeding dogs had a significantly higher prevalence compared to hunting dogs, but not compared to other dog categories. Kennel dogs have been demonstrated to be at higher risk of infection due to continuous exposure to G. duodenalis cysts in kennels with high animal density [ 6 , 8 , 37 ]. Of interest was also the high (35.7%) prevalence of G. duodenalis observed in pet dogs, a potentially serious public health concern if infected animals are in close contact with children or immunocompromised individuals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence and molecular epidemiology of Giardia duodenalis infection in dog populations in eastern Spain

et al. 2018

BackgroundGiardia duodenalis is one of the most common enteric parasites in domestic animals including dogs. Young animals are more prone to the infection, with clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to acute or chronic diarrhoea. Dogs are primarily infected by canine-specific (C-D) assemblages of G. duodenalis. However, zoonotic assemblages A and B have been increasingly documented in canine isolates, raising the question of whether and to which extent dogs can act as natural reservoirs of human giardiosis.MethodsIn this cross-sectional epidemiological survey we assessed the molecular diversity of G. duodenalis in dogs in the province of Castellón, Eastern Spain. A total of 348 individual faecal samples from sheltered (n = 218), breeding (n = 24), hunting (n = 68), shepherd (n = 24), and pet (n = 14) dogs were collected between 2014 and 2016. Detection of G. duodenalis cysts in faecal material was carried out by direct fluorescence microscopy as a screening test, whereas a qPCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the parasite was subsequently used as a confirmatory method.ResultsGiardia duodenalis was detected in 36.5% (95% CI: 31.6–41.7%) of dogs. No significant differences in prevalence rates could be demonstrated among dogs according to their sex and geographical origin, but breeding (45.8%; 95% CI: 27.9–64.9%) and sheltered (40.4%; 95% CI: 34.1–47.0%) dogs harboured significantly higher proportions of G. duodenalis. Multi-locus sequence-based genotyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase and β-giardin genes of G. duodenalis allowed the characterization of 35 canine isolates that were unambiguously assigned to assemblages A (14.3%), B (22.9%), C (5.7%), and D (37.1%). A number of inter-assemblage mixed infections including A + B (11.4%), A + D (2.9%), and A + B + D (5.7%) were also identified.ConclusionsData presented here are strongly indicative of high infection pressures in kennelled animals. Zoonotic sub-assemblages AII, BIII, and BIV were responsible for a considerable proportion of the G. duodenalis infections detected, but very few of the genotypes identified have been previously documented in Spanish human populations. Although possible, zoonotic transmission between dogs and humans seems an infrequent event in this Spanish region.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1353-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Vet Record Case Reports

“…Grass and sand substrates provide favourable conditions for the survival and development of the infective stages of the Giardia species 18. Puppies are more susceptible to infection than adult dogs, and immune-competent dogs act as carriers without showing overt clinical signs 20 21. In some development stages, the Giardia species attaches to the surface of enterocytes in the small intestine, resulting in maldigestion, malabsorption and diarrhoea.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth stunted in half a litter of puppies due to intestinal parasitism

Frada

Machado

Coutinho³

et al. 2020

Four puppies of Estrela mountain dog breed, out of a litter of nine, eight weeks of age, and with poor body condition, poor appetite, pica (geophagia) and stunted growth from the fifth week of age, were attended at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. On physical examination, it was concluded that the puppies were severely underweight. Rectal examination showed dark faeces. Nevertheless, the puppies were alert, responsive and interested in wet food. Haematological, biochemical, faecal, radiographic, ultrasonographic and CT studies were performed. The main abnormalities detected were mild anaemia and intestinal parasitism caused by Giardia species and coccidia. The puppies started to be fed with wet food and were treated with metronidazole, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim for intestinal parasitism. The puppies regained their appetite and growth, and their body condition gradually improved. At 12 weeks of age the puppies were completely healthy, without evidence of sequela, and living with their new owners.