The prevalence of Giardia infection in dogs and cats, a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence studies from stool samples

Abstract

Giardia has a wide range of host species and is a common cause of diarrhoeal disease in humans and animals. Companion animals are able to transmit a range of zoonotic diseases to their owners including giardiasis, but the size of this risk is not well known. The aim of this study was to analyse giardiasis prevalence rates in dogs and cats worldwide using a systematic search approach. Meta-analysis enabled to describe associations between Giardia prevalence and various confounding factors. Pooled prevalence rates were 15.2% (95% CI 13.8-16.7%) for dogs and 12% (95% CI 9.2-15.3%) for cats. However, there was very high heterogeneity between studies. Meta-regression showed that the diagnostic method used had a major impact on reported prevalence with studies using ELISA, IFA and PCR reporting prevalence rates between 2.6 and 3.7 times greater than studies using microscopy. Conditional negative binomial regression found that symptomatic animals had higher prevalence rates ratios (PRR) than asymptomatic animals 1.61 (95% CI 1.33-1.94) in dogs and 1.94 (95% CI 1.47-2.56) in cats. Giardia was much more prevalent in young animals. For cats >6 months, PRR=0.47 (0.42-0.53) and in dogs of the same age group PRR=0.36 (0.32-0.41). Additionally, dogs kept as pets were less likely to be positive (PRR=0.56 (0.41-0.77)) but any difference in cats was not significant. Faecal excretion of Giardia is common in dogs and slightly less so in cats. However, the exact rates depend on the diagnostic method used, the age and origin of the animal. What risk such endemic colonisation poses to human health is still unclear as it will depend not only on prevalence rates but also on what assemblages are excreted and how people interact with their pets.

Endoparasites of wildcats in Croatia

“…is a common parasite of domestic cats in Europe. During the 2001 -2014 period, 29 surveys on domestic cats were conducted with prevalence ranging from 0% -37%, depending on study area and method used (BOUZID et al, 2015). the current survey results showed the presence of Giardia sp.…”

Risk reduction and management strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease among dogs at dog shows, sporting events, and other canine group settings

“…• Cleaning and disinfection (giardiasis) and dogs in high-density housing 95,96,126,127 • Feces control • Reduction of exposure through fomites • Hand hygiene • Separation (reduce dog-to-dog contact)…”

“…In general, dogs < 1 year of age are at the greatest risk for acquiring an infectious disease. 45,78,80,[94][95][96][97][98] This increased risk is attributable to various factors, including inadequate vaccination, waning maternal antibodies, exposure to novel pathogens, and behaviors (eg, chewing of fomites, close play with other dogs, and mouthing activity) that increase the likelihood of direct and indirect pathogen spread. As mentioned in the vaccination recommendations, ensuring that young dogs have received their core vaccination series will assist in reducing these risks.…”

Combination therapy in the management of giardiasis: What laboratory and clinical studies tell us, so far

“…Several studies reported on high prevalence of Giardia in stool samples of companion animals (i.e. cats and dogs) (Bouzid et al, 2015). Pets are prevalently infected with host-specific assemblages (C and D in dogs, F in cats), but the zoonotic A and B assemblages were also reported in several settings, and may prevail in environments commonly contaminated with cysts from the feces of humans or other animals (Thompson 2004;Ballweber et al, 2010).…”