Skip to content

How accurate is the Giardia SNAP test?

How accurate is the Giardia SNAP test?

The SNAP test was considered the reference method as the relative sensitivity and specificity compared with immunofluorescence microscopy has been reported to be 95% and 99%, respectively and compared with microplate ELISA to be 96% and 100%, respectively (SNAP Giardia Antigen Test Kit product insert).

Can you test negative for Giardia and still have it?

Although the fecal immunoassays are more sensitive than the routine O&P method, false-negative results may still occur with very light infections. It has been recommended that a second specimen be tested if the first fecal immunoassay for suspected giardiasis is negative (11).

What does Giardia SNAP test detect?

The SNAP® Giardia Test detects soluable Giardia antigen in canine and feline feces. What type of Giardia does the SNAP Giardia Test detect? It identifies Giardia lamblia, otherwise known as Giardia intestinalis or Giardia duodenalis, the primary species in mammals.

Why are snap test used routinely to test for giardia?

Use the SNAP Giardia Test to identify the presence of Giardia in dogs and cats as an adjunct to a fecal flotation. The SNAP Giardia Test is the first USDA-approved in-house rapid assay for the detection of soluble Giardia antigen.

Can giardia be missed in a stool sample?

Sometimes it can be difficult for doctors to know for sure if Giardia is making you sick. This is because people with a Giardia infection do not pass Giardia germs with every stool. Even when there are Giardia germs in their stool, there may not be enough for the laboratory to find and identify them.

Can you test for giardia at home?

The SNAP Giardia Test is the first USDA-approved in-house rapid assay for the detection of soluble Giardia antigen. It has been shown to find up to three times more Giardia-positive animals than using traditional microscope methods.

Can Giardia be missed in a stool sample dog?

False (wrongly) negative results are possible though. With Giardia this can happen because the Giardia trophozoites in the dog’s intestine were not shedding cysts at the time the stool sample was collected. Without cyst proteins, the test will come up negative even though the dog is infected.

Can a cat be tested for Giardia without a negative test?

These are now available as bench-top snap tests (or samples can be sent out to a laboratory) and have a much lower incidence of false negative results in comparison to microscopic fecal exams. I only run Giardia ELISAs on pets with a negative fecal exam who have symptoms consistent with the disease, however. The reason is simple.

How can you tell if you have Giardia from a stool sample?

Giardia parasites can be hard to spot and don’t always show up in a stool sample from someone who is infected. If your doctor suspects you have giardiasis, they might order both tests at the same time. Or, if the first test comes back negative, they might have you give additional stool samples—especially if your symptoms match up with giardiasis.

Can a recheck test be used for Giardia?

Currently it is not recommended for any of the Giardia antigen tests to be used as a recheck test in the early post treatment phase. As discussed, it is currently unknown how long Giardia antigens will persist in feces after successful treatment.

Why are there so many false negatives for Giardia?

False negative results likely relate to the sensitivity cutoffs of the individual assays. It is currently unknown how long Giardia antigens will persist in feces after successful treatment (resolution of diarrhea).

How does the snap test for Giardia work?

Use the SNAP Giardia Test to identify the presence of Giardia in dogs and cats as an adjunct to a fecal flotation. The SNAP Giardia Test is the first USDA-approved in-house rapid assay for the detection of soluble Giardia antigen. It has been shown to find up to three times more Giardia-positive animals than using traditional microscope methods.1.

These are now available as bench-top snap tests (or samples can be sent out to a laboratory) and have a much lower incidence of false negative results in comparison to microscopic fecal exams. I only run Giardia ELISAs on pets with a negative fecal exam who have symptoms consistent with the disease, however. The reason is simple.

How can a doctor tell if someone has giardia?

Healthcare providers can order laboratory tests to identify Giardia germs in the stool (poop) of someone who is sick. Sometimes it can be difficult for doctors to know for sure if Giardia is making you sick.

What should I do if my dog has giardia?

The Challenges of Diagnosing Giardia in Cats and Dogs. A microscopic fecal exam should be the first diagnostic test. It is simple, inexpensive, and can reveal several of the causes of diarrhea in pets, including Giardia … sometimes.