MegaELISA® GIARDIA

MegaELISA® GIARDIA is an enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Giardia duodenalis in the feces of pocket pets, pets and farm animals.

Giardia is known to be one of the most common enteritic parasites in pocket pets, pets, farm and wild animals as well as in humans (zoonosis) world-wide. The species Giardia duodenalis occurs in the different animal species and humans in varying genotypes (genotypes A to G), which differ in their infection and their host spectrum. Types A and B have zoonotic potential, whereas the others are more or less host-specific. Newborns and young animals are mostly affected. Prevalences vary in cats and dogs, depending on age (> 70% under 1 year), husbandry (10% in single husbandry up to 100% in breedings and animal shelters) and immune status. Transmission (direct contact, by contaminated food, water, objects, grooming and vectors like flies etc.) happens fecal-orally by ingestion of highly infectious and very resistant cysts being discharged by other animals or humans. Only five to seven cysts are enough to cause an infection.

Giardia duodenalis has an asexual life cycle. In the duodenum of the infected animals, two growth forms, so-called trophozoites, emerge from the incorporated cysts (excystment). These multiply by duplication and attach via suckers to the duodenal surface. Free trophozoites turn into their lasting forms, the cysts (encystment), especially in the ileum. These are excreted in large amounts (10e7/g feces) and mostly intermittent, i.e. not with every defecation. The prepatent period averages 5 to 16 days.

The main symptom of giardiasis is diarrhoea, more or less intensive, that can run from symptomatic (acute, chronic, self-limiting, periodic-intermittent or continuous) to asymptomatic. Independent on the progression, cysts and/or trophozoites can be egested (primarily with strong diarrhoea). Giardia cysts can be differentiated from cysts of different coccidia species only by microscopical experienced people. This is similarly true for Giardia- and Tritrichomonas foetus trophozoites. Numerous studies show the advantages of the enzyme immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Giardia duodenalis compared with conventional detection methods for Giardia like the microscopic proof of cysts and/or the trophozoites in the direct fecal smear or after enrichment after flotation or in the modified sedimentation (“MIFC method”) or even via intestine biopsy.

Based on its high sensitivity and specificity, the MegaELISA® GIARDIA perfectly fits as standard test for veterinary laboratories for the fast and standardised routine test of intact G. duodenalis cysts, trophozoites or their disintegration products.

• Test Principle :  ELISA
• Packaging :  96
• Pathogenic :  Giardia duodenalis