Occurrence of Giardia Sp. in ruminants in Serbia

Abstract

Giardia spp. are flagellates that are found in the intestinal tract of humans and other mammals, birds and amphibians. Infections with giardia have been reported widely in livestock and companion animals in different parts of the world. Evidence of infection in humans and animals of Giardia duodenalis. especially of assemblage A and B has firmly established giardiasis as a zoonotic disease. At ruminants giardiasis usually result with diarrhea, especially in young animals, which in turn adversely affect production resulting in economic loses. So far, no research has been done related to giardiasis in small ruminat and cattle in Serbia, and here we present the results of the first studies of the presence of giardiasis in ruminants in our country.