Quantitative analysis of the load in Giardia responsible for digestive disorders in cats and dogs.
Giardia is a flagellated protozoan responsible for small bowel diarrhea. Co-infections are possible with Cryptosporidium sp. in dogs and cats, and Tritrichomonas fetus in cats, with which it is easily confused under microscopy.
Test indications
- Diagnosis of giardiose in its digestive form.
- Determination of excretory status.
- Treatment monitoring.
Test characteristics
- Real-time RT-PCR
- Detection threshold
- Quantitative load analysis.
Samples to be taken
- Ecouvillon rectal (dry swab without transport medium).
- Given the intermittent nature of excretion and therefore the risk of a false negative on a single sample, to establish a diagnosis, we recommend:
- That is, at least 3 consecutive analyzes (if the first two are negative) on samples taken 1 week apart.
- Or a single analysis carried out on a pool of rectal swabs taken every two to three days over 10 days (i.e. 3 to 5 swabs) and kept in the fridge (grouped sending of 3 to 5 swabs). This option delays the diagnosis time, but covers a longer period to increase the chances of sampling during an excretion phase.
Interpretation of the result
- Negative result: Absence of the protozoan or quantity below the detection threshold. A negative result does not exclude Giardia carriage, as rectal excretion is intermittent. Consequently, several consecutive tests or a single test on a mixture of samples taken a few days apart are necessary in order to confirm the absence of Giardia (see recommended protocol above).
- Positive result : Presence of the parasite in the sample. Positive results should be interpreted in the epidemiological-clinical context and depending on the duration of development. The PCR test being quantitative, it is interesting in monitoring treatment, in order to evaluate its effectiveness (reduction in the excreted load).
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