[Giardia muris infection in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and treatment with metronidazole].

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of metronidazole for treatment of Giardia muris infection in laboratory rats.

Methods: The feces of rats was yellow watery diarrhea and brought to the surgery research center of University of Ondokuz Mayis in order to be a study. Stool samples were examined by native examination, evaluation of infection rates was done with an X40 lens, and results were recorded as positive from 1 to 4. Metronidazole was administered to infected animals orally for 5 days with a 20 mg/kg dose.

Results: As a result of fecal examination of 64 rats held in groups of four in cages, 15 of the cages (60 rats) were found to be infected with G. muris. While agents were not observed in collected stool samples following 5, 7, and 14 days of drug administration of 14 groups, trophozoite density in one cage was decreased (75%), and adverse effects were not seen in rats.

Conclusion: Metronidazole was found to be an effective drug for the treatment of giardiasis.