Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor

Giardia spp. is a protozoan that can be found in feces of human and animals and is considered to have zoonotic potential. In vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes, clinical signs like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and lethargy are frequently observed while in humans, var...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Magdalene, Stephanie
Format: Project Paper Report
Language:English
Published: 2017
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78285/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78285/1/FPV%202017%2018%20-%20IR.pdf
_version_ 1848858465612595200
author Magdalene, Stephanie
author_facet Magdalene, Stephanie
author_sort Magdalene, Stephanie
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Giardia spp. is a protozoan that can be found in feces of human and animals and is considered to have zoonotic potential. In vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes, clinical signs like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and lethargy are frequently observed while in humans, various clinical manifestations have been reported ranging from asymptomatic to acute, intermittent or chronic non-bloody diarrhea. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Giardia spp. in fecal samples of dogs from various canine shelters in Selangor by using microscopic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection methods. Secondly, the occurrence of Giardia spp. was investigated for its association with occurrence of diarrhea. This project was approved by the UPM animal ethics committee and consent received from the five shelters. A total of 130 dogs were randomly selected based on convenience sampling. Fecal swabs were obtained and rolled onto glass slides, air-dried and stained with both Giemsa and Ziehl-Neelson and microscopically examined. Seventy fecal samples were sufficient for nested-PCR assay where primers specific for Giardia were used, and subsequent gel electrophoresis to determine the specific bands corresponding to the PCR product band size. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS where P-value<0.05 was considered significant. Giardia spp. was detected from four dogs out of 130 dogs (3.1%) on microscopic evaluation which was confirmed on PCR detection. Other parasites detected by microscopic examination include Cryptosporidium and coccidia. A total of 17.1% (n=12/70) of the samples were positive for Giardia spp. by nested-PCR detection method. There was four times higher positive detection of Giardia spp. in dogs with diarrhea and it was statistically significant through Pearson's chi-squared analysis (P value=0.044). In conclusion, this study reports for the first time molecular detection of Giardia spp. in 17.1% of shelter dogs in Malaysia using molecular detection method. It is recommended that all shelter dogs should be periodically dewormed to prevent transmission of Giardia spp. among the shelter animals within the same enclosures and avoid potential zoonotic transmission to care takers of the shelter. Phylogenetic characterization of Giardia spp. in dogs in Malaysia merit further studies.
first_indexed 2025-11-15T12:13:53Z
format Project Paper Report
id upm-78285
institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-15T12:13:53Z
publishDate 2017
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling upm-782852024-10-10T04:06:36Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78285/ Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor Magdalene, Stephanie Giardia spp. is a protozoan that can be found in feces of human and animals and is considered to have zoonotic potential. In vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes, clinical signs like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and lethargy are frequently observed while in humans, various clinical manifestations have been reported ranging from asymptomatic to acute, intermittent or chronic non-bloody diarrhea. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Giardia spp. in fecal samples of dogs from various canine shelters in Selangor by using microscopic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection methods. Secondly, the occurrence of Giardia spp. was investigated for its association with occurrence of diarrhea. This project was approved by the UPM animal ethics committee and consent received from the five shelters. A total of 130 dogs were randomly selected based on convenience sampling. Fecal swabs were obtained and rolled onto glass slides, air-dried and stained with both Giemsa and Ziehl-Neelson and microscopically examined. Seventy fecal samples were sufficient for nested-PCR assay where primers specific for Giardia were used, and subsequent gel electrophoresis to determine the specific bands corresponding to the PCR product band size. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS where P-value<0.05 was considered significant. Giardia spp. was detected from four dogs out of 130 dogs (3.1%) on microscopic evaluation which was confirmed on PCR detection. Other parasites detected by microscopic examination include Cryptosporidium and coccidia. A total of 17.1% (n=12/70) of the samples were positive for Giardia spp. by nested-PCR detection method. There was four times higher positive detection of Giardia spp. in dogs with diarrhea and it was statistically significant through Pearson's chi-squared analysis (P value=0.044). In conclusion, this study reports for the first time molecular detection of Giardia spp. in 17.1% of shelter dogs in Malaysia using molecular detection method. It is recommended that all shelter dogs should be periodically dewormed to prevent transmission of Giardia spp. among the shelter animals within the same enclosures and avoid potential zoonotic transmission to care takers of the shelter. Phylogenetic characterization of Giardia spp. in dogs in Malaysia merit further studies. 2017-03 Project Paper Report NonPeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78285/1/FPV%202017%2018%20-%20IR.pdf Magdalene, Stephanie (2017) Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor. [Project Paper Report]
spellingShingle Magdalene, Stephanie
Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor
title Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor
title_full Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor
title_fullStr Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor
title_full_unstemmed Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor
title_short Microscopic and molecular detection of Giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in Selangor
title_sort microscopic and molecular detection of giardia spp. in fecal samples among shelter dog population in selangor
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78285/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78285/1/FPV%202017%2018%20-%20IR.pdf