Article: Observations on natural and experimental infections with Giardia isolated from cats

The course of infection with Giardia was studied in (a) naturally infected cats and (b) experimentally infected Mongolian gerbils using Giardia cysts isolated from cats. Natural infection was characterized by: (a) a latent period of 11 to 13 days, (b) the pattern of cyst release which was either continuous or intermittent during the acute phase of infection and (c) elimination of the infection in four to five weeks after exposure. Mongolian gerbils were found to be susceptible to infection with Giardia isolated from cats. The course of infection in gerbils was characterized by intermittent cyst release and elimination of the infection in about three weeks. The pattern of cyst release in gerbils infected with Giardia isolated from cats was similar to the previously reported pattern of cyst release in gerbils infected with Giardia isolated from humans. The possible role of pets in the zoonotic transmission of giardiasis is discussed.

Citing Articles

The efficacy of a Giardia lamblia vaccine in kittens.

Olson M, Morck D, Ceri H Can J Vet Res. 1996; 60(4):249-56.

PMID: 8904660 PMC: 1263845.

Susceptibility of domestic cats to infections with Giardia lamblia cysts and trophozoites from human sources.

Kirkpatrick C, Green 4th G J Clin Microbiol. 1985; 21(5):678-80.

PMID: 3998096 PMC: 271756. DOI: 10.1128/jcm.21.5.678-680.1985.

Excystation and culturing of human and animal Giardia spp. by using gerbils and TYI-S-33 medium.

Wallis P, Wallis H Appl Environ Microbiol. 1986; 51(3):647-51.

PMID: 3516070 PMC: 238933. DOI: 10.1128/aem.51.3.647-651.1986.

Cross-species transmission of Giardia spp.: inoculation of beavers and muskrats with cysts of human, beaver, mouse, and muskrat origin.

Erlandsen S, Sherlock L, Januschka M, Schupp D, Schaefer 3rd F, Jakubowski W Appl Environ Microbiol. 1988; 54(11):2777-85.

PMID: 3063208 PMC: 204372. DOI: 10.1128/aem.54.11.2777-2785.1988.

Infectivity of Swiss Giardia isolates to jirds and mice, and in vitro cultivation of trophozoites originating from sheep.

Gasser R, Eckert J, Rohrer L Parasitol Res. 1987; 74(2):103-11.

PMID: 2964036 DOI: 10.1007/BF00536020.

References

1.

Boorman G, Lina P, Zurcher C, NIEUWERKERK H . Hexamita and Giardia as a cause of mortality in congenitally thymus-less (nude) mice. Clin Exp Immunol. 1973; 15(4):623-7. PMC: 1553967. View

2.

Faubert G, Belosevic M, Walker T, Maclean J, MEEROVITCH E . Comparative studies on the pattern of infection with Giardia spp. in mongolian gerbils. J Parasitol. 1983; 69(5):802-5. View

3.

Meyer E, Radulescu S . Giardia and giardiasis. Adv Parasitol. 1979; 17:1-47. DOI: 10.1016/s0065-308x(08)60548-5. View

4.

Black R, Dykes A, Sinclair S, Wells J . Giardiasis in day-care centers: evidence of person-to-person transmission. Pediatrics. 1977; 60(4):486-91. View

5.

Roberts-Thomson I, Mitchell G . Giardiasis in mice. I. Prolonged infections in certain mouse strains and hypothymic (nude) mice. Gastroenterology. 1978; 75(1):42-6. View

6.

RENDTORFF R . The experimental transmission of human intestinal protozoan parasites. II. Giardia lamblia cysts given in capsules. Am J Hyg. 1954; 59(2):209-20. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a119634. View

7.

Belosevic M, Faubert G, Skamene E, Maclean J . Susceptibility and resistance of inbred mice to Giardia muris. Infect Immun. 1984; 44(2):282-6. PMC: 263514. DOI: 10.1128/iai.44.2.282-286.1984. View

8.

Thacker S, Simpson S, Gordon T, Wolfe M, Kimball A . Parasitic disease control in a residential facility for the mentally retarded. Am J Public Health. 1979; 69(12):1279-81. PMC: 1619313. DOI: 10.2105/ajph.69.12.1279. View

9.

Belosevic M, Faubert G, Maclean J, Law C, Croll N . Giardia lamblia infections in Mongolian gerbils: an animal model. J Infect Dis. 1983; 147(2):222-6. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/147.2.222. View

10.

Hewlett E, ANDREWS Jr J, Ruffier J, Schaefer 3rd F . Experimental infection of mongrel dogs with Giardia lamblia cysts and cultured trophozoites. J Infect Dis. 1982; 145(1):89-93. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/145.1.89. View

11.

Panigrahy B, Elissalde G, Grumbles L, HALL C . Giardia infection in parakeets. Avian Dis. 1978; 22(4):815-8. View

12.

Belosevic M, Faubert G . Giardia muris: correlation between oral dosage, course of infection, and trophozoite distribution in the mouse small intestine. Exp Parasitol. 1983; 56(1):93-100. DOI: 10.1016/0014-4894(83)90100-5. View

Observations on Natural and Experimental Infections with Giardia Isolated from Cats