The epidemiology of infections with Giardia species and genotypes in well cared for dogs and cats in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Giardia is now considered the most common enteric parasite in well cared for dogs and cats in developed countries. The ecology, epidemiology and clinical impact of infections with this parasite in such animals is still not fully understood due to variable results across different studies.

Methods

Faecal samples were collected between 2009 and 2012 from privately owned cats and dogs in Germany presented to local veterinarians for a variety of reasons. Giardia positive samples were identified by microscopy and coproantigen methods. Total faecal DNA was extracted from Giardia positive samples and multilocus genotyping methods (18S rDNA, β-giardin, GDH) were applied. Relationships between host age, sex, and breed, season of presentation and the different species of Gi

SUBMITTER: Pallant L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4298994 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature