Protozoa of the genus Giardia cause the disease giardiosis in a large number of animal species, but also in humans. This disease can be either subclinical or followed by diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Giardia sp. in different species of animals in Belgrade Zoo (asymptomatic infection) and to compare the sensitivity of parasitological and molecular-genetic methods. Examination of the presence of Giardia sp. protozoa was performed in 52 fecal samples, using fecal flotation and molecular-genetic PCR method. No positive samples were detected when deploying the parasitological method, while PRC analysis revealed the presence of Giardia sp. in one animal - ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), which indicates the advantage of the molecular-genetic method over the parasitological one. The absence of Giardia sp. in other samples can be explained by adequate housing conditions, successful implementation of hygienic and sanitary measures, as well as good veterinary practice. Use of PCR method for testing the presence of Giardia sp. showed a higher sensitivity when compared to the fecal flotation method.
This paper studies the presence of developmental forms of gastrointestinal parasites in soil and sand samples, as well as in dog feces collected from public green spaces in Belgrade. The paper incorporates the spread analysis of contamination over different segments of parks. Four public green spaces in Belgrade were chosen, all containing an open-spaced children’s playground and a fenced dog park. Sample analysis of soil/sand was examined using qualitative methods without concentration (native slide) and with concentration (passive sedimentation and gravitational centrifugal flotation). In total, 106 samples have been collected out of which 60 samples of soil, 36 of dog faeces and ten samples of sand. Seven different agents have been detected, out of which five nematodes - Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina and two protozoa - Isospora spp. and Giardia intestinalis. The overall prevalence of contamination of soil samples was 31.67% and a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of ancylostoma eggs was found between different locations. The most common agent detected in the dog’s faeces was Isospora spp., with a prevalence of 5.56%, followed by Giardia intestinalis and ancylostomatids with a prevalence of 2.78% each. The sand samples had no parasitic elements found. The contamination by parasites and by dogs’ faeces was equally dispersed in all segments of the examined locations. There is a great need to raise public awareness on the issue, and by the joint action of veterinarians, medical doctors, pet owners and people using public parks for recreation - a precondition is created for the sustainability of the “One Health” concept which implies the preservation of the environment and human and animal health.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.