The prevalence of giardiosis in animals and humans in Iași county with the establishment of zoonotic risk

Abstract

The study on the prevalence of Giardia sp. in bovines was performed by analysing the cases recorded at Dancu Research Station, the results showing that this is a protozoan, commonly found in bovine farms, being one of the main causes of diarrhoea in calves. The source of contamination with Giardia sp. is represented by drinking water, breast milk and environment. In the period 2017-2020, the cases of giardiosis diagnosed in pets at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine were analysed; a coinfection was found in dogs in a proportion of 64% with yeast cells, 22% with Cryptosporidium sp., 6% with Isospora sp. and only in 3% of cases Giardia sp. has been reported as the only pathogen involved in the clinical picture. The study on the prevalence of Giardia sp. in humans during 2017-2020 was performed using data provided by the Praxis Laboratory. The conclusions demonstrate the presence of a high rate of giardiosis in pets (dogs, cats), in farm animals (bovine), and in humans, each representing a source of contamination of the environment and of the other categories. The results showed for both humans and animals that drinking water can be a major source of infection with Giardia sp., requiring the much more frequent and rigorous control of drinking water.