<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Protozoa of the genus <italic>Giardia</italic> cause the disease giardiosis in a large number of animal species, but also in humans. This disease can be either subclinical or followed by diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of <italic>Giardia</italic> sp. in different species of animals in Belgrade Zoo (asymptomatic infection) and to compare the sensitivity of parasitological and molecular-genetic methods. Examination of the presence of <italic>Giardia</italic> sp. protozoa was performed in 52 fecal samples, using fecal flotation and molecular-genetic PCR method. No positive samples were detected when deploying the parasitological method, while PRC analysis revealed the presence of <italic>Giardia</italic> sp. in one animal - ring-tailed lemur (<italic>Lemur catta</italic>), which indicates the advantage of the molecular-genetic method over the parasitological one. The absence of <italic>Giardia</italic> sp. in other samples can be explained by adequate housing conditions, successful implementation of hygienic and sanitary measures, as well as good veterinary practice. Use of PCR method for testing the presence of <italic>Giardia</italic> sp. showed a higher sensitivity when compared to the fecal flotation method.</p>
</abstract>

Protozoa of the genus Giardia cause the disease giardiosis in a large number of animal species, but also in humans. This disease can be either subclinical or followed by diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Giardia sp. in different species of animals in Belgrade Zoo (asymptomatic infection) and to compare the sensitivity of parasitological and molecular-genetic methods. Examination of the presence of Giardia sp. protozoa was performed in 52 fecal samples, using fecal flotation and molecular-genetic PCR method. No positive samples were detected when deploying the parasitological method, while PRC analysis revealed the presence of Giardia sp. in one animal - ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), which indicates the advantage of the molecular-genetic method over the parasitological one. The absence of Giardia sp. in other samples can be explained by adequate housing conditions, successful implementation of hygienic and sanitary measures, as well as good veterinary practice. Use of PCR method for testing the presence of Giardia sp. showed a higher sensitivity when compared to the fecal flotation method.

Use of Parasitological and Molecular Methods in <italic>Giardia</italic> sp. Detection in Animals Held in Captivity

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biology

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine, small animal

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology

Acta Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Use of Parasitological and Molecular Methods in  sp. Detection in Animals Held in Captivity

Protozoa of the genus Giardia cause the disease giardiosis in a large number of animal species, but also in humans. This disease can be either subclinical or...

Use of Parasitological and Molecular Methods in Giardia sp. Detection in Animals Held in Captivity

Article Category: Research article

Published Online: Jul 01, 2023

Page range: 195 - 204

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2023-0015

Keywords
Flotation, PCR, Zoo animals

© 2023 Marko Ristanic et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Use of Parasitological and Molecular Methods in Giardia sp. Detection in Animals Held in Captivity

Article Category: Research article

Published Online: Jul 01, 2023

Page range: 195 - 204

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2023-0015

KeywordsFlotation, PCR, Zoo animals

© 2023 Marko Ristanic et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Flotation, PCR, Zoo animals