Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy)
In sheltered dogs, the prevalence of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> is frequently high and may include potential zoonotic genotypes. The prevalence, genotypes and potential risk factors of <i>G. duodenalis</i> were assessed in 168 dogs from four kennels (Pistoia, Prato, Florence,...
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/12 |
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| author | Andrea Agresti Federica Berrilli Michela Maestrini Isabel Guadano Procesi Enrico Loretti Niccolò Vonci Stefania Perrucci |
| author_facet | Andrea Agresti Federica Berrilli Michela Maestrini Isabel Guadano Procesi Enrico Loretti Niccolò Vonci Stefania Perrucci |
| author_sort | Andrea Agresti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In sheltered dogs, the prevalence of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> is frequently high and may include potential zoonotic genotypes. The prevalence, genotypes and potential risk factors of <i>G. duodenalis</i> were assessed in 168 dogs from four kennels (Pistoia, Prato, Florence, Valdarno) in Tuscany, central Italy and compared with data from previous Italian studies. The prevalence of other intestinal parasites was also investigated. Individual dog faecal samples collected from each kennel were examined by parasitological techniques and a rapid immunoassay for the detection of <i>G. duodenalis</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> faecal antigens. On <i>Giardia</i>-positive samples, molecular analysis was performed for genotype identification. Overall, 69 dogs scored positive for <i>G. duodenalis</i> (41%), but significant differences (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) were found among the four kennels and sampling seasons. The potentially zoonotic assemblages A and B and the canine-specific assemblage C (Pistoia: A-AII, B, C; Prato: A-AII, B; Florence: A-AII; Valdarno: A and C) were identified. <i>Toxocara canis</i> (8.9%), <i>Trichuris vulpis</i> (3.6%), hookworms (1.19%) and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. (0.6%) were also identified. The high prevalence of <i>G. duodenalis</i> and the identification of potentially zoonotic genotypes in all examined kennels underline the need to improve routine parasite monitoring and control measures and to provide insights into the zoonotic potential of <i>G. duodenalis</i>. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:46:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-96cfe2bc5ec24a78aae64819eba20a6b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:46:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-96cfe2bc5ec24a78aae64819eba20a6b2023-11-23T14:59:02ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172021-12-011111210.3390/pathogens11010012Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy)Andrea Agresti0Federica Berrilli1Michela Maestrini2Isabel Guadano Procesi3Enrico Loretti4Niccolò Vonci5Stefania Perrucci6Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, ItalyUnità Funzionale Aziendale Igiene Urbana, Az. USL Centro Toscana, 50127 Firenze, ItalyUnità Funzionale Igiene Epidemiologia e Sanità Pubblica, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, 50032 Borgo San Lorenzo, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, ItalyIn sheltered dogs, the prevalence of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> is frequently high and may include potential zoonotic genotypes. The prevalence, genotypes and potential risk factors of <i>G. duodenalis</i> were assessed in 168 dogs from four kennels (Pistoia, Prato, Florence, Valdarno) in Tuscany, central Italy and compared with data from previous Italian studies. The prevalence of other intestinal parasites was also investigated. Individual dog faecal samples collected from each kennel were examined by parasitological techniques and a rapid immunoassay for the detection of <i>G. duodenalis</i> and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> faecal antigens. On <i>Giardia</i>-positive samples, molecular analysis was performed for genotype identification. Overall, 69 dogs scored positive for <i>G. duodenalis</i> (41%), but significant differences (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05) were found among the four kennels and sampling seasons. The potentially zoonotic assemblages A and B and the canine-specific assemblage C (Pistoia: A-AII, B, C; Prato: A-AII, B; Florence: A-AII; Valdarno: A and C) were identified. <i>Toxocara canis</i> (8.9%), <i>Trichuris vulpis</i> (3.6%), hookworms (1.19%) and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. (0.6%) were also identified. The high prevalence of <i>G. duodenalis</i> and the identification of potentially zoonotic genotypes in all examined kennels underline the need to improve routine parasite monitoring and control measures and to provide insights into the zoonotic potential of <i>G. duodenalis</i>.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/12<i>Giardia duodenalis</i>intestinal parasiteskennelsprevalencegenotypesrisk factors |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Agresti Federica Berrilli Michela Maestrini Isabel Guadano Procesi Enrico Loretti Niccolò Vonci Stefania Perrucci Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy) Pathogens <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> intestinal parasites kennels prevalence genotypes risk factors |
| title | Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy) |
| title_full | Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy) |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy) |
| title_short | Prevalence, Risk Factors and Genotypes of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> in Sheltered Dogs in Tuscany (Central Italy) |
| title_sort | prevalence risk factors and genotypes of i giardia duodenalis i in sheltered dogs in tuscany central italy |
| topic | <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> intestinal parasites kennels prevalence genotypes risk factors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/12 |
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