Levels of Serum 25 (OH) D3 in Naturally Infected Lambs With Giardia duodenalis

Abstract

Giardia duodenalis is a binuclear flagellated protozoan that can infect birds, reptiles and many mammals. The pathogen is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in humans and farm animals. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in naturally infected lambs with Giardia duodenalis. The animal material of the study was used Sakız sheep which had naturally infected with Giardia duodenalis between 15-35 days of age from the Aydın region (n = 30), healthy lambs in the same age range (n = 15) and both sexes. Sterile stool samples with the method of rectal touching of fecal samples from infected and healthy animals, blood samples were obtained in a total of 5 ml of v.jugularis according to the technique in order to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Giardia screening was performed by direct microscopic examination of stool samples. 25-OH-D levels were measured with Savant brand fluorescent immunoassay device from the obtained serum samples. Mann-Whitney U test was used in statistical analysis. Statistically significant changes were observed in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels of healthy and natural infected animals (p <0.05).

A Microscopic and Molecular Survey of Giardia duodenalis in Lambs in Siirt, Türkiye

“…Giardia duodenalis (syn. Intestinalis, lamblia) is an enteric protozoan with flagella that infects people and a wide range of domestic and wild animals, causing severe diarrhea, especially in young and immune-compromised individuals (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6).…”

“…Giardia duodenalis has recently emerged as an important parasite in domestic ruminants with unexpectedly high levels of infection (3,7). Since a high number of cysts are shed with feces due to the disease, both young animals and the environment are significantly contaminated (1). It is stated that even though ruminants are exposed to Giardia species shortly after birth, infections are mostly seen towards the end of the neonatal period (5).…”

“…The disease causes malabsorption as the disease agent damages the intestinal lumen (1). When present in small numbers giardia agents do not cause clinically symptomatic disease, but in the presence of large numbers of the agent or immunologically deficient individuals, diarrhea commonly occurs (4).…”