Quantitative analysis of the load 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 the treatment follow-up, in order to evaluate its effectiveness (reduction in excreted load).
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