Original Scientific Article
Evaluation of some intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier damage biomarkers in dogs with giardiasis
Murat Kaan Durgut * ,
Mahmut Ok ,
Merve Ider ,
Amir Naseri ,
Yusuf Emre Ekici ,
Suleyman Serhat Iyigun ,
Nimet Ismailoglu ,
Rumeyhisa Ozlem Bicici

Mac Vet Rev 2025; 48 (2): i - vii

10.2478/macvetrev-2025-0024

Received: 13 November 2024

Received in revised form: 01 March 2025

Accepted: 18 June 2025

Available Online First: 02 July 2025

Published on: 15 October 2025

Correspondence: Murat Kaan Durgut, mkaan.durgut@selcuk.edu.tr
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Abstract

Giardia intestinalis is a parasitic protozoan commonly seen in dogs and causes intestinal mucosal barrier damage. In this study, serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), and intestinal trefoil factor-3 (TFF-3) concentrations were assessed in Giardia intestinalis -infected dogs to determine their association with intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier damage and their potential to be used as a non-invasive diagnostic method. The study was conducted on 39 dogs (26 with giardiasis and 13 healthy dogs) of different breeds and sex. Giardiasis was diagnosed from fecal samples by rapid antigen test kit and fecal flotation test. Serum I-FABP (p=0.024), IAP (p=0.04), and TFF-3 (p=0.028) levels were significantly higher in dogs with giardiasis compared to the healthy group. These findings indicate that Giardia infection causes damage to the intestinal mucosa which triggers the release of these compounds as a protective mechanism. The positive correlation between the biomarkers and the giardiasis infection in dogs, indicate that they could be used as a non-invasive diagnostic method.

Keywords: Giardia,dogs,I-FABP,IAP,TFF-3

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Copyright

© 2025 Durgut MK This is an open-access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interest exist.

Citation Information

Macedonian Veterinary Review. Volume 48, Issue 2, Pages i-vii, e-ISSN 1857-7415, p-ISSN 1409-7621, DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2025-0024

The all content of the Macedonian Veterinary Review, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.