Giardia duodenalis in Captive Tigers (Panthera tigris), Palawan Bearcats (Arctictis binturong whitei) and Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) at a Wildlife Facility in Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in captive animals in a wildlife facility. This is the first study conducted in these animals from the facility. Methods: Eight captive tigers (Panthera tigris), two Palawan bearcats (Arctictis binturong whitei) and one Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) currently housed at a wildlife facility in Manila, Philippines were considered in 2012. These animals were apparently healthy with no signs of disease during the study. Sample collection was done twice at two months interval where freshly voided fecal samples were grossly examined, characterized and preserved in Sodium Acetate Formalin (SAF). The samples were used to determine the presence of G. duodenalis using modified flotation-sedimentation and commercially available immuno-chromatographic assay test kit. Results: All fecal samples tested were negative for the presence of G. duodenalis trophozoites, and cysts using the former. Furthermore, none of the samples tested positive for and G. duodenalis antigen using immune-chromatographic assay. Conclusion: There is no existing infection of G. duodenalis among captive tigers, Palawan Bearcats and Asian palm civet housed at the wildlife facility.

Keywords

• Giardia duodenalis
• Palawan bearcat
• Palm civet
• Tigers