Preliminary investigation of the prevalence and genotype distribution of Giardia intestinalis in dogs in Hungary

In the genus Glardia (G.) intestinalis is the only species found in humans as well as in other mammals, including domestic and farm animals. Molecular characterisation of strains isolated from different hosts revealed the existence of seven major genotypic assemblages. Assemblage A and B isolates have been recovered from a broad range of hosts, including humans, livestock, cats, dogs, beavers and guinea pigs. Infection and subsequent cyst shedding contaminates the environment for all mammals, including humans. In this preliminary investigation we studied the prevalence of Giardia infection in kennel dogs from Hungary by microscopic examinations and using a G. intestinalis Agspecific coproantigen test. In order to investigate the genotypes of Giardia, a nested PCR specific for Giardia 18S-rDNA was introduced. All sequenced samples displayed the sequences described for Assemblage D and C dog-specific G. intestinalis strains. These results indicate, however, that dog giardiosis is highly prevalent in the studied geographical areas, but it doesn't present severe zoonotic potential. In the course of the study, the higher sensitivity of the coproantigen test compared to microscopy, and the significant decline in the infection rate with the increasing age of the dogs sampled was clearly pointed.