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Giardia duodenalis in faecal samples from calves in Poland
Jacek Sroka1, Jacek Zwoliński2, Ewa Bilska-Zając1
1Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Bee Diseases and Aquatic Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
Introduction:
Giardia duodenalis is the prevalent parasitic protozoan responsible for diarrhoeal disease in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and assemblages of this parasite present in cattle in Poland.
Material And Methods:
Faecal samples were collected from 1,602 cattle up to 4 months old, bred on 267 farms located in all 16 voivodeships of Poland. Extraction of DNA was performed using a modified alkaline and a heat lysis method. Molecular detection of β-giardin gene by PCR and sequence analysis were performed.
Results:
In 174 of 1,602 (10.9%) tested cattle and in 89 of 267 examined herds (33.3%), G. duodenalis DNA was detected. The highest prevalence of Giardia in cattle was found in the Lubelskie (25%), Mazowieckie (21.3%) and Zachodniopomorskie (20.4%) voivodeships. In other regions, the prevalence did not exceed 10%. The number of Giardia-positive cattle decreased with animal age. The most frequently identified assemblage in cattle was E (89.2%), and A and B were detected more seldom in 9.0% and 1.8% of cattle, respectively. No significant differences in positive results were observed in cattle depending on production purpose.
Conclusion:
The study results showed a high prevalence of Giardia in cattle in Poland. The presence of the Giardia A and B assemblages indicates a potential zoonotic threat.
