Treatment of giardiasis in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with tinidazole.

Abstract

Giardia intestinalis is a common protozoan parasite that can infect many laboratory animal primates, although its role as a contributor to the induction of gastrointestinal disease remains unclear. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of Giardia in a colony of common marmosets by using a Giardia antigen-capture assay and to address the possible eradication of this infection by using tinidazole, an antiprotozoal similar to metronidazole but requiring fewer doses. Among 31 colony marmosets, 13 (42%) were positive for Giardia. Two doses of oral tinidazole eliminated the infection in all animals. Repeat testing of the 13 Giardia-positive monkeys 1 y later showed that 11 remained negative and that treated animals had a significant increase in weight at 1 y. Giardia antigen is common in common marmoset feces, and treatment using oral tinidazole is possible and highly effective.

• Authors: Joshua A Kramer, Audra M Hachey, Lynn M Wachtman, Keith G Mansfield
• Journal: Comparative medicine (Comp Med) Vol. 59 Issue 2 Pg. 174-9 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1532-0820 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19389310 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Antitrichomonal Agents
• Tinidazole

Topics

• Animals
• Antitrichomonal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Callithrix (parasitology)
• Feces (parasitology)
• Giardia lamblia (immunology)
• Giardiasis (therapy, veterinary)
• Humans
• Monkey Diseases (drug therapy)
• Tinidazole (therapeutic use)