Giardia Antigen Test Kit (Colloidal Gold Method)

Target and Hazard: Giardia is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that colonises the small intestine of dogs and cats. Attaching to the intestinal mucosa, it interferes with nutrient absorption and causes diarrhoea — often intermittent, fatty and foul-smelling — together with weight loss, stunted growth and a poor coat, with young animals affected most severely. Some dogs and cats are asymptomatic carriers that continually shed cysts into the environment. Giardia is a common cause of recurrent gastrointestinal disease and diarrhoea in dogs and cats and also poses a public-health risk to humans.

Significance of Testing: The card detects Giardia antigen directly in faeces for pathogen investigation in dogs and cats with acute or chronic diarrhoea, screening of asymptomatic carriers and monitoring of group infection in kennels and catteries. It helps clarify the cause of diarrhoea, guide deworming and husbandry and identify sources of infection to reduce within-group and zoonotic transmission.

Principle: Colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (double-antibody sandwich): Giardia antigen in the faecal sample binds gold-labelled antibody, migrates along the membrane and is captured by the specific antibody coated on the test line (T), producing a visible line; the control line (C) confirms reagent and procedure validity.

Performance and Applications: No equipment required; faecal sample; visual reading within 10–15 minutes; room-temperature storage. Suitable for rapid on-site screening in veterinary clinics, primary practices and dog/cat breeding facilities. Method: colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (double-antibody sandwich) | Samples: faeces | Time to result: 10–15 min | Reading: visual assessment of T/C lines — a coloured T line indicates a positive result, C line is the procedural control | Format: as stated on the label | Storage: 2–30 °C, cool and dry; shelf life 24 months | Note: sensitivity, specificity, limit of detection, intra-/inter-assay CV and agreement with reference methods such as microscopy are subject to our internal QC report.