Giardia is a protozoan parasite of the small intestine that causes extensive morbidity worldwide. Dairy calves can excrete high numbers of the cysts of Giardia and the disease in cattle is clinically important and can reduce the growth performance of the ruminants. Giardia is the cause of non-viral diarrhoea in humans and is responsible for epidemics in the developed and developing countries. The cyst is the infectious form, is ingested in contaminated water or food or directly from faecal-oral contact. Giardia duodenal is the only species, which is found in both humans and animals including dogs, cats, bovines, pigs, sheep and equine.
The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence in bovines at Military dairy farm, Gawala dairy colonies, the Government dairy farm and Household dairies in Lahore. The effect of season, sex, and age on infection rate and shedding of the cysts were also noted, and association of the Giardia infection with normal and abnormal stools was also studied.
Overall 2160 bovine faecal samples (720 buffaloes, 720 cattle and 720 calves) were examined during the study period from August 2007 to July 2008, amongst calves 362/720 (50.27%) were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was recorded in the Government. Dairy farm (68.33%) followed by Gawala colonies (55%), then the Military dairy farm (44.33%) and the lowest (34.44%) was recorded in Household dairies. Overall, highest (61.6%) seasonal prevalence was recorded during autumn, followed by spring (60.83%), then summer (53.4%) and the lowest
(34.1%) was recorded during winter. The highest (65%) prevalence was reported during August and the lowest (3 0%) during December.
Females were found to be more susceptible (56.74%) than males (35.1%). The prevalence was significantly higher (71.52%) in younger calves than the adults
(36.11%) (P<0.05).
Overall prevalence in cattle was 28.05%. The highest (41.67%) prevalence was recorded at the Government dairy farm, followed by Gawala colonies (32.72%), then the Military dairy farm (22.72%) and the lowest (15%) was recorded in Household dairies. The highest (35%) prevalence was found during August and the lowest (21%) during January. A significant difference (P<0.05) was noted. Females were found to be more susceptible (29.21%) than males (18.75%). The young calves had significantly higher (3 8.88%) prevalence as compared to the adults (24.44%).
Similarly, the overall prevalence in buffaloes was found to be 20.11% percent. The highest (40.55 %), prevalence was recorded at the Government Dairy Farm, followed by Gawala colonies (30%) then Military Dairy Farm (21.11%) and the lowest prevalence i.e. 12.77% was reported in Household Dairies. A non significant difference was recorded P>0.05). The highest (46.66 %) prevalence was recorded during August, while, the lowest (6.66%) during November and December. Females were found to be more susceptible than males. Where as the prevalence in a younger buffalo was significantly higher as compared to the adults.
Comparison of direct microscopic examination and PCR based methods was made at the Government dairy Farm, Gawala colonies; Military Dairy Farm and
Household Dairies. By direct Microscopic examination prevalence was found to be 28.05% (202/720) in cattle whereas by PCR it was 31.11%. Statistically analysis showed that the prevalence by PCR was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the microscopic examination.
It was observed that the highest prevalence of Giardiasis in bovines (Calves, Cattle and buffalo) was noted during August when the average temperature was 31.48°C. However the maximum and minimum temperatures were 35.37°C and
27.6°C, relative humidity 7 1.28% and rainfall was 3.2mm. The results of therapeutic trials by using albendazole, metronidazole, and mebendazole in cattle were calculated on the basis of reduction in the cysts count in the faeces after treatment.
Efficacy of albendazole at three dose levels i.e. 1 Omg/kg.b.wt, 1 5mg/kg.b.wt, 2Omg/kg.b.wt was 86.33%, 98.5% and 100% respectively, on day 27 after treatment. Efficacy of the metronidazole at 5Omg/kg.b.wt, 1 OOmg/kg.b.wt, and 1 5Omg/kg.b.wt. Was 85.42%, 87.8% and 94.02% respectively on day 27. Efficacy of mebendazole at three dosage level i.e. 7.5rng/kg.b.wt, lOmg/kg.b.wt and 2Omg/kg.b.wt was 81.15 %, 87.32%, and 90.4% on day 27 after treatment. Among these drugs, albendazole at
1 5mg/kg.body.weight was found to be most effective drug in the elimination Giardia infection. The significant (P<0.05) decrease in the CPG count after treatment in all the three groups and dose levels was noted. A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the level of leukocytes and of eosinophisl of infected cattle at day 06 and day 13 post inoculation. The leukocytes/lymphocytes count of Giardia infected cattle was 58.09%. Whereas, eosinophils constituted of leukocytes 9.69%. The total proteins of the sample were studied by sodium doedocyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel ELECTROPHORESIS (SDS PAGE). The result indicated that 8 diffeent molecular weight peptide badns were identified with size ranges from 20 to 70 KDa and common bands reported at 20, 24 and 35 K Da