Giardia lamblia

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Giardia lamblia

The tamaVet® Giardia Test is intended for the rapid detection of specific Giardia lamblia antigens in the faecal samples of dogs and cats. Giardiasis is a disease caused by the unicellular parasite Giardia lamblia (also known as duodenalis/intestinalis). Infection with pathogen cysts by oral absorption mainly takes place following environmental contamination with faeces and reinfection during grooming. After the cysts have been ingested, trophozoites are released into the gastrointestinal tract and adhere to small intestinal cells where they multiply by dividing into two. This leads to villous atrophy and the desquamation of epithelial cells with resulting malabsorption and maldigestion. The trophozoites in the rectum then form cysts again.
Giardia infections are often asymptomatic in dogs and cats, though persistent and intermittent diarrhoea with light-coloured, foul-smelling faeces with mucus and blood admixtures can occur – especially in puppies, kittens and other young animals. Vomiting is less common. A loss of appetite and emaciation can happen in acute to chronic cases. The period between infection and the excretion of trophozoites and cysts is 4 to 15 days. The test is suitable for the early detection of suspected Giardia lamblia or in the case of clinical symptoms. As excretion can be intermittent, examinations should be carried out over a period of approximately 7 to 10 days and be repeated if necessary.

Giardia lamblia