Abortions in pregnant dairy cows after vaccination with Brucella abortus strain RB51

Giardia duodenalis, a zoonotic protozoan parasite, has been shown to infect dogs, with a worldwide prevalence varying from 5 per cent in well-cared for domestic pets to 100 per cent in kennelled animals. In Italy, sheltered animals have been shown to have a prevalence of 14 to 74 per cent, compared with 4 to 19 per cent in domestic pets. This study examined the prevalence of G duodenalis in a sample of 1400 dogs from three kennels in Rome. Faecal samples were taken from the dogs and examined by microscopy and PCR. The overall prevalence of G duodenalis was 20-5 per cent. The prevalence was found to be highest in samples from the largest kennel, which had a greater turnover of dogs, and in younger animals. Giardia cysts were found more frequently in diarrhoeic dogs, but also in those with no clinical signs. Although the prevalence of infection was low compared with previous studies, the higher prevalence in younger dogs could pose a public health risk as such animals are more frequently rehomed.