Occurrence of Giardia intestinalis in dairy goats and evaluation of risk factors for infection: research note

Pittella Sudré, AdrianaCarvalho Machado do Couto, MelissaCristina Bérgamo Bomfim, Teresa

The aim of this study was to establish the occurrence of Giardia intestinalis in goat fecal samples from two dairy farms (A and B) located in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, assessing possible risk factors for infection. Fecal samples from all young animals (up to one year of age) (n=58) and from 10% of adult animals (n=18) were collected. Samples were collected directly from the rectum and were submitted to centrifuge-flotation in sugar saturate solution for microscopic search of Giardia cysts. From 76 analyzed samples, 17 (22.4%) were positive for Giardia cysts. All positive samples came from young animals of farm A. Also, dog fecal samples (n=9) were collected to evaluate their role in parasite transmission. Three dog samples (33.3%) were positive for Giardia cysts. Presence of helminth eggs was only observed in animals from farm A. Eimeria sp. oocysts were observed in fecal samples from both farms. The comparison of hygienic-sanitary and management conditions of both farms indicated that the high rate of infection in young animals from farm A was due to an association of risk factors: intensive raising of young animals in installations made of wooden slats floor, fecal accumulation underneath it, and the presence of domestic animals inside goat installations. The high Giardia positivity and the observation of risk factors for transmission call attention to the importance of e