FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip

Cryptosporidia (C. parvum) and Giardia (G. duodenalis) are world-wide spread protozoan parasitic zoonotic pathogens colonising the intestinal tract of small pets, pets and farm animals as well as of humans. Neonates and young animals are predominantly affected. The prevalences vary depending on age, husbandry and immune status of the animals.

The transmission (direct contact, via contaminated food, water, objects, grooming as well as via flies etc.) occurs fecal-orally by uptake of the highly infectious and environmentally resistant oocysts or cysts, respectively, excreted by other animals. The infectious dose is 5 to 10 G. duodenalis cysts or 50 to 100 C. parvum oocysts. The life cycles of both protozoons are complex and show different states. C. parvum builds 2 permanent states: thin-walled autoinfective oocysts (20%) and thick-walled oocysts (80%) which are excreted by defecation. G. duodenalis forms a vegetative trophozoite state and a permanent cyst state, which is excreted by defecation. Excretion of both permanent states occurs in high concentrations and often intermittently. The permanent states are very resistant and can remain infectious for months. Asymptomatic animals can serve as chronic carriers. The prepatent period averages from Ø 5 to 16 days for G. duodenalis and Ø 2 to 4 days for C. parvum.

Both pathogens cause diarrhoea of different severity codes. Diarrhoea could occur from symptomatic (acute, chronic, self-limiting, periodic-intermittent or continuous) to asymptomatic. Independent on the progression, oocysts, cysts and/or trophozoites can be egested (primarily with strong diarrhoea). Immunosuppression, lack of appetite, pyrexia and dehydration may occur, as well as death. Coinfection with Rota and Corona viruses as well as Tritrichomonas foetus (cat) and enterotoxic E. coli often occurs.

For epidemiological reasons, all animals, clinical symptomatic and clinical asymptomatic, should be tested with FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strip. This enables the veterinarian on-site to state an aetiological diagnosis and to introduce a specific treatment as well as a broad prophylaxis.

• Test Principle :  Lateral flow
• Packaging :  25
• Pathogenic :  Giardia duodenalis