First report of Giardia duodenalis infection in the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata L., 1758)

Publication date: Available online 16 January 2020Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Francesca Coppola, Michela Maestrini, Federica Berrilli, Isabel Guadano Procesi, Antonio Felicioli, Stefania PerrucciAbstractItaly is the only European country where the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) lives. A parasitological investigation was performed on faecal samples, aimed to evaluate Giardia and other parasites in a free-ranging crested porcupine population in Central Italy. Samples were collected from captured and road-killed individuals as well as from feeding areas and pathways. Collected faecal samples were examined by the Mini-FLOTAC technique and a rapid immunoassay for the search of Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. faecal antigens. For the identification of Giardia species and genotypes, molecular analysis was performed on Giardia-positive samples, by using PCR protocols able to amplify glutamate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase and a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes.A total of 52 crested porcupine faecal samples were collected and analysed. At microscopical examination, 39 out of 52 samples were found positive for at least a single parasite species and six different parasite taxa were identified. Forty-eight percent (25/52) of faecal samples were positive for Giardia spp. and 1.9% (1/52) for Cryptosporidium spp. at the immunoassay. Among 12 faecal samples belonging to different individuals, 33.3% (4/12)...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research