Abstract
BackgroundInfections by protozoans of the genus Giardia are a common cause of diarrhea in dogs. Canine giardiosis constitutes a disease with a zoonotic potential; however, it is often underestimated due to its challenging diagnosis. The objective of the study was to assess the diagnostic performance of an immunochromatographic strip test (SpeedTMGiardia, Virbac, France) comparing it with microscopy (zinc sulfate flotation) by utilizing the combination of an enzyme immunoassay (ProSpecTTMGiardia EZ Microplate Assay, Oxoid Ltd., UK) and the PCR as the gold standard. A positive result in both ELISA and PCR was set as the gold standard.MethodsInitially, fecal samples from dogs with clinical signs compatible with giardiosis were tested with the SpeedTMGiardia test and separated into two groups of 50 samples each: group A (positive) and group B (negative). Thereafter, all samples were examined by zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation technique and assayed by the ProSpecTTMGiardia Microplate Assay and PCR. The performance of the SpeedTMGiardia and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation tests were calculated estimating sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratio; the chi-square and McNemar tests were used for the comparison of the two methods.ResultsGiardia cysts were not detected by microscopy in 16 out of the 50 samples (32%) of group A and in none of group B samples. Eight out of 50 samples in group B (16%) were tested positive both with the ProSpecTTMGiardia Microplate Assay and PCR. Fecal examination with the SpeedTMGiardia test was more sensitive (86.2%) than the parasitological method (58.6%, P < 0.001) while the specificity of both methods was 100%.ConclusionsThe SpeedTMGiardia test is an easy-to-perform diagnostic method for the detection of Giardia spp., which can increase laboratory efficiency by reducing time and cost and decrease underdiagnosis of Giardia spp. infections. This immunochromatographic strip test may be routinely exploited when a rapid and reliable diagnosis is required, other diagnostic techniques are unavailable and microscopy expertise is inefficient. In negative dogs with compatible clinical signs of giardiosis, it is recommended either to repeat the exam or proceed with further ELISA and PCR testing.
Highlights
Infections by protozoans of the genus Giardia are a common cause of diarrhea in dogs
Veterinary practitioners must be aware of canine giardiosis in order to take into appropriate account the impact of this underestimated protozoan infection in the canine population as well as its possible zoonotic implication
The present study contributes to the understanding of the complex diagnosis of canine giardiosis
Summary
Infections by protozoans of the genus Giardia are a common cause of diarrhea in dogs. Giardia spp. are flagellated protozoans that colonize the duodenum of many mammals, including dogs and Symeonidou et al Parasites Vectors (2020) 13:544 may impair dogs’ health and welfare resulting in a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, such as diarrhea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, malabsorption, growth retardation and sometimes even death, especially in puppies [7,8,9]. Assemblages A and B have been reported in many mammals, including humans [12,13,14,15] and dogs [16, 17] and have a zoonotic potential which renders them of great public health concern [9, 18,19,20]. Giardiosis outbreaks due to contaminated drinking water and food have been reported [23,24,25,26]
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