First report of Giardia duodenalis infection in the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata L. 1758)

摘要

Italy is the only European country where the crested porcupine ( ) lives. A parasitological investigation was performed on faecal samples, aimed to evaluate and other parasites in a free-ranging crested porcupine population in Central Italy. Samples were collected from captured and road-killed individuals as well as from feeding areas and pathways. Collected faecal samples were examined by the Mini-FLOTAC technique and a rapid immunoassay for the search of and spp. faecal antigens. For the identification of species and genotypes, molecular analysis was performed on -positive samples, by using PCR protocols able to amplify glutamate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase and a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes.