Zoonotic importance of giardia spp. infections in asymptomatic dogs

Abstract

Giardia intestinalis (G. lamblia, G. duodenalis) is a common protozoan in human and other mammals worldwide causing diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss and dehydration. The major infection occurs via directly faecal-oral route or indirectly contaminated food and water consumption. Dogs can carry the zoonotic genotypes of Giardia without any clinical signs and contaminate the environment. Asymptomatic carrier dogs living in the same environment with humans, food and water contaminated with these dogs' faeces can be a source of infection for humans. The aim of this review is to emphasize the asymptomatic course of Giardia spp. infections in dogs and to evaluate the effects of asymptomatic carriage on human health and the environment.