INTENDED USE

Giardia is a gastrointestinal parasite of mammals with a worldwide distribution. This protozoan parasite has a wide range of host species and is a common cause of diarrheal disease in humans and animals (i.e., dogs, cats, cattle, deer, and beavers). Giardia duodenalis (synonym of G. lamblia and G. intestinalis) causes giardiasis in dogs and cats. Pooled giardiasis prevalence rates were 15.2% for dogs and 12% for cats.

SUMMARY

Infected animals show a spectrum of clinical signs ranging from asymptomatic to severely affected, with disease manifesting in acute, intermittent, or chronic timeframes. Symptoms are more visible in younger animals than in the older. In some cases, dogs will exhibit diarrhea, due to maldigestion, malabsorption and increased motility, which is soft, frothy, greasy, and with a strong odor or excessive mucus.
Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestines and is passed in feces. Hosts contract giardiasis through fecal-oral transmission of cysts, directly from infected individuals or contaminated fomites, or through ingestion of cysts in contaminated water or food1. As the cyst form, Giardia can sometimes survive for weeks or months outside the body and be found within every region.

PRINCIPLE

Canine giardia virus antigen (C-GIA Ag) test is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Giardia cyst antigens in canine feces or feline feces. This kit shows two letters which are the test (T) line and the control (C) line on the surface of the device. If the Giardia antigen exists in the sample, it binds to the gold-conjugated Giardia antibody. The antigen-antibody complex moves through the membrane by capillary force and responds to the Giardia antibody on the test line, resulting in a red line. The control line indicates that the test is performed correctly and should appear when the test is complete.
The highly selective and sensitive monoclonal antibody to G. duodenalis is used as a capture and detector in the kit. The Canine giardia virus antigen (C-GIA Ag) test can detect Giardia antigens in canine feces or feline feces with high accuracy.