Molecular and immunohistochemical detection of assemblage E, Giardia duodenalis in scouring North Dakota calves

Abstract

Despite many reports on the shedding of Giardia parasites by scouring calves, the role of Giardia as a cause of calf diarrhea is still controversial. To elucidate the role of Giardia duodenalis in calf scours, diagnostic samples from 189 scouring calves were tested by different assays during a 1-year-study period. Giardia antigens were detected in 22/189 scouring calves by a fecal-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 10 of these were positive for assemblage E, G. duodenalis by polymerase chain reaction. Giardia trophozoites were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in intestinal sections from five calves in which the parasites were spatially distributed in areas of microscopically detectable enteritis. Our data suggest that under certain circumstances, Giardia may cause intestinal lesions leading to calf scours. Gnotobiotic calf-based infectivity studies are needed if the pathogenicity of Giardia in calves is to be definitively determined.

Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Giardia duodenalis in calves with diarrhoea

“…Although this kit was originally developed for use in dogs and cats, it has also been used to detect Giardia in calves (Barigye and others 2008). The sensitivity and specificity of the kit are reported to be 95 per cent (Barigye and others 2008). …”

“…Previous studies have examined the prevalence of G duodenalis in calves in Belgium, Norway and the USA using PCR, immunofluorescence assays, and microscopic examination (Barigye and others 2008, Geurden and others 2008, Gulliksen and others 2009, Geurden and others 2010). However, in Korea, the epidemiological status and molecular characteristics of G duodenalis in cattle have not yet been reported.…”

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp., spatial clustering and patterns of shedding in dairy calves from Córdoba, Argentina

“…Giardia cysts were scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 3 where: 0 = no parasites present, 1 = few parasites present, 2 = moderate numbers of parasites present and 3 = many parasites present (BARIGYE et al, 2008).…”

“…The public health implications of giardiasis are well known and its effect on calf performance is not conclusive (HUETINK et al, 2001;OLSON et al, 2004;BARIGYE et al, 2008).…”

Giardia duodenalis Infection in Dairy Cattle of Assam, India

“…Subclinical infections often reported; however, infection can result in the onset of diarrhoea, ill thrift and decreased weight gain in young calves (O'Handley et al, 1999). Morphological alterations in the intestinal epithelium of scouring calves with Giardiasis has been observed (Barigye et al, 2008) and a significant improvement in weight gain was noticed in calves that were treated for Giardiasis with fenbendazole compared with untreated infected animals (Geurden et al, 2010).…”