High frequency of the occurrence of Giardia spp. in dogs in veterinary care in a scrubland area in Goiás state, Brazil

Authors

  • Ana Paula Carvalho Gomes Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Parasitologia e Análises Clínicas Veterinária ; Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal
  • Guilherme Oliveira Maia Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Parasitologia e Análises Clínicas Veterinária
  • Alice Caroline da Silva Rocha Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Parasitologia e Análises Clínicas Veterinária
  • Bruna Samara Alves-Ribeiro Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal
  • Letícia Caetano Zaiden Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Parasitologia e Análises Clínicas Veterinária ; Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal
  • Ísis Assis Braga Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Parasitologia e Análises Clínicas Veterinária ; Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal
  • Klaus Casaro Saturnino Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal ; Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica Veterinária
  • Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Laboratório de Parasitologia e Análises Clínicas Veterinária ; Universidade Federal de Jataí, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9603-6638

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2025.229314

Keywords:

One Health, Protozoa, Giardiasis, Zoonoses, Giardia duodenalis

Abstract

The exponential growth of domestic animal populations has increased their susceptibility to infections caused by numerous parasites. Giardiasis, an important zoonosis in dogs and humans caused by Giardia duodenalis, is transmitted via the fecal-oral route by ingesting food and water contaminated with cysts or through direct contact with infected humans or animals. The lack of a commercially available approved vaccine for the treatment of giardiasis and the development of resistance to antiparasitics because of their incorrect and indiscriminate use make its treatment challenging. Herein, we report an abnormally high occurrence of Giardia spp. in dogs in veterinary care in Jataí, Goiás, Brazil. Fecal samples were acquired from 94 dogs of different ages and sexes in a private veterinary clinic between January and September 2022, with a giardiasis outbreak reported by veterinarians. Direct fecal examination, flotation, and centrifugal sedimentation in formalin ether solution were used to identify the cysts and oocysts of protozoan parasites and the eggs of parasitic helminths. Giardia spp. were the most frequently detected parasites (20.21%), as opposed to hookworm infections (12.77%, 10/94), which diverged from the prevalence reported for this locality in studies with randomized samples, being 29.53 and 3.34% for Ancylostoma spp. and Giardia spp., respectively. It is important to emphasize that the samples in the present study were from animals that had presented with clinical signs. However, a previous study conducted in the same locality in Jataí reported that antiparasitic drugs are prescribed without requesting a fecal examination and without consulting a veterinarian, evidencing the indiscriminate use of these drugs. The relatively high occurrence of Giardia spp. in the studied locality is evident. Considering growing anthelmintic drug resistance and the potential threats it may pose, the high occurrence of Giardia spp. is a factor that needs to be observed and investigated. The results obtained in this study highlight the need for appropriate veterinary practices to prevent the spread of giardiasis and other zoonotic diseases. 

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Published

2025-04-11

Issue

Vol. 62 (2025)

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FULL ARTICLE

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How to Cite

1.
Gomes APC, Maia GO, Rocha AC da S, Alves-Ribeiro BS, Zaiden LC, Braga Ísis A, et al. High frequency of the occurrence of Giardia spp. in dogs in veterinary care in a scrubland area in Goiás state, Brazil. Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 11 [cited 2025 May 5];62:e229314. Available from: https://journals.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/229314