title: Possible contamination of surface waters with Giardia spp. through muskrats.
abstract: Muskrats were examined for Giardia infections. Collected faecal samples were processed by means of sucrose density gradient centrifugation, using a 1 M sucrose solution. Identification of cysts was done by phase contrast microscopy, by the immunofluorescence test, or by both methods. From July 1994 to September 1995, a total of 234 muskrats from two different geographical areas in western parts of Germany were examined for the presence of Giardia cysts. 176 animals (75.2%) were found to be Giardia-positive. This study corroborates the assumption that animals such as muskrats living close to surface water bodies could contaminate water bodies with parasites such as Giardia.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Parasitology, University of Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karanis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Opiela
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Renoth
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Seitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000469:parasitology*; D005872:Giardia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply