COMPARISON OF A PROOF OF GIARDIA-INTESTIN ALIS CYSTS WITH THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES IN DOGS AND CATS

We investigated giardiosis of dogs and cats with a view to cysts in fe cal samples and antibodies in the blood serum. Cysts were found in 25 fecal samples (5.5%) out of 458. Cysts were excreted frequently in pup pies and adolescent dogs. In 15 cases giardiosis was diagnosed togethe r with canine distemper or parvovirosis as an opportunic infection. In direct immunofluorescence was used for detection of specific antibodie s. We tested sera of 588 dogs and specific antibodies were detected in 156 cases (36.5%) in titres 10-160. In basic dilution 1:10 antibodies were detected in 61% positive samples. Titres 20-160 were found in 39 % of the positive sera. In cats cysts were found only in 1 fecal sampl e out of 135 due to the difficulties in obtaining fecal samples for re peated examinations. Specific antibodies were detected in 107 cats (56 .9%) out of 188 at titres 10-320. In basic dilution 1-10 antibodies we re detected only in 30% of the positive sera but on the other hand in 70% we detected higher titres, i.e. 20-320. We did not consider titre 10 as significantly positive in both dogs and cats because cross-paras itic infections frequently occur. The number of serological positive d ogs and cats grew with their age because they acquired giardiosis in t he course of their life mostly as asymptomatic infection. The detectio n of specific antibodies cannot be used for the diagnosis because thei r level in blood serum persists for months. We must tread every dog an d cat excreting cysts in fecal samples to stop transmission to other a nimals and humans-zoonosis.