Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

A Simple Fecal Flotation Method for Diagnosing Zoonotic Nematodes Under Field and Laboratory Conditions
Published on: December 15, 2023
Gastrointestinal parasites of cavy (Cavia aperea aperea) in southern Brazil
Lucas Trevisan Gressler1, Aleksandro Schafer da Silva, Marcos Kipper da Silva
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Faixa de Camobi-Km 9, Campus Universitário, 97105-900 Santa Maria-RS, Brazil.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastrointestinal parasitism in Cavia aperea aperea (cavy), captured in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul State. Fecal samples from five free-living cavies were collected for research of parasites. Samples were analyzed by the centrifugal-flotation method with zinc sulfate and parasites were identified microscopically based on (oo)cyst and egg size and morphology. Cysts of Giardia sp. and (oo)cysts of Cryptosporidium sp. and Cystoisospora sp. were observed in one or more cavies. Eggs of Paraspidodera uncinata were observed in three of the five rodents. All infected animals showed mild infection by parasite. This is the first report of Giardia sp., Cryptosporidium sp. and Cystoisospora sp. in Cavia a. aperea.
Related Concept Videos
Giardiasis
American Trypanosomiasis
Anthelminthic Agents
Diversity of Protists I
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Amebiasis

