Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting Giardia and Cryptosporidium in dogs and cats using PCR
By Sotiriadou, Isaia et al.·Published in Parasite (Paris, France)·2013·Medical School, Germany·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Molecular identification of Giardia and Cryptosporidium from dogs and cats.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that Giardia and Cryptosporidium, two parasites that can cause gastrointestinal issues, were present in some dogs and cats. Out of 81 dogs and 19 cats tested, five dogs and two cats had Giardia, while one dog and one cat had Cryptosporidium. One dog even had both parasites at the same time. These findings suggest that pets can carry these parasites, which may pose a risk to human health. If your pet shows signs of diarrhea or vomiting, it's important to consult your veterinarian for testing and treatment options.
People also search for: dog diarrhea treatment · cat vomiting causes · Giardia in pets symptoms
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to diagnose the presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in household animals using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. One hundred faecal samples obtained from 81 dogs and 19 cats were investigated. The Cryptosporidium genotypes were determined by sequencing a fragment of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, while the Giardia Assemblages were determined through analysis of the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) locus. Isolates from five dogs and two cats were positive by PCR for the presence of Giardia, and their sequences matched the zoonotic Assemblage A of Giardia. Cryptosporidium spp. isolated from one dog and one cat were both found to be C. parvum. One dog isolate harboured a mixed infection of C. parvum and Giardia Assemblage A. These findings support the growing evidence that household animals are potential reservoirs of the zoonotic pathogens Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. for infections in humans.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23477297/