Detection and molecular identification of Giardia in Mynahs: A case report

Pegah Valitabar; Milad Hamzehali Tehrani; Morteza Nikzad; Morteza  Poormohammad; Sina  Bagheri; Seyed Mostafa Peighambari

Authors

Pegah Valitabar Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4833-7488
Milad Hamzehali Tehrani Department of Pathobiology, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6681-0837
Morteza Nikzad Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3654-1733
Morteza Poormohammad DVM Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1383-2052
Sina Bagheri Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria. Author
Seyed Mostafa Peighambari Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9166-1303

Keywords:

Giardia duodenalis, Mynah, Zoonotic, Birds, Protozoan parasite

Abstract

Giardia is a protozoan parasite affecting many animals, including humans, mammals and birds. The infection of this parasite is related to the digestive system. The three common species of Giardia in birds include G. psittaci, G. duodenalis, and G. ardeae. Ornamental birds as pets can transmit this organism to humans. For this reason, investigating the presence of this parasite in ornamental birds is of great importance. In general, the studies that have been done in birds for the purpose of molecular identification of Giardia are limited. Also, Giardia duodenalis is usually found in mammals and its report is rare in birds. In this study, the presence of this parasite was investigated in five mynahs with symptoms. For this purpose, several methods including radiology, blood test, wet smear tests, Giemsa stain, and PCR were used to confirm the presence of Giardia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Giardia parasite presence in mynah in Iran.