Giardia genotypes in pigs in Western Australia: prevalence and association with diarrhea.

Abstract

Little is known of the prevalence of Giardia species and genotypes in pre- and post-weaned domestic pigs. In the present study, a total of 297 pig faecal samples were screened for the presence of Giardia by PCR and genotyped. An overall prevalence of 31.1% (90/289) (25.8, 36.5 CI) was detected. Giardia was detected in 17% (23/123) (11.8-25.6 CI) of pre-weaned piglet faecal samples and 41% (64/156) (33.3-48.7 CI) post-weaned faecal samples analysed. Sequence analysis identified assemblage A and E in pre- and post-weaned pigs. Assemblage F was identified in one post-weaned pig. Assemblage E was the most prevalent assemblage detected.