Giardia duodenalis sub-Assemblage of animal and human origin in horses.
Abstract: In order to evaluate infection occurrence and the potential zoonotic role of horse isolates of Giardia duodenalis, 431 individual fecal samples were genetically characterized by PCR tests -coupled sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Thirty-seven (8.6%) animals resulted infected by different Assemblage. The presence of sub-Assemblage was assessed by characterizing the β-giardin gene for 16 of the 37 positive horses. Ten isolates showed 99.6% to 100% homology with the sub-Assemblage described as B1-2 and B1-6, three Assemblage A showed 99.8% homology with sub-Assemblage A1, while one Assemblage E displayed 98.8% homology with sub-Assemblage E3. Furthermore, one isolate characterized as Assemblage A showed 99.6% homology with the sub-Assemblage B1-2 and one characterized as E was 100% identical with sub-Assemblage B1-6. These results demonstrate the presence of both animal and human sub-Assemblage of G. duodenalis in horses from Italy. Epidemiological and sanitary implications are discussed.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-07-05 PubMed ID: 22771626DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.06.014Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research evaluates the occurrence of Giardia duodenalis infections in horses and the potential of these horse strains being transmitted to humans. By testing and analyzing 431 individual fecal samples, the researchers identified infections in 8.6% of the subjects and found both animal and human sub-strains of the parasite.
Methodology of the Study
- The team collected fecal samples from 431 horses, with the goal to assess whether they were infected with the Giardia duodenalis parasite.
- These samples were genetically characterized using PCR tests, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. This process helped determine the specific type of Giardia duodenalis present in the samples.
- The researchers specifically evaluated the β-giardin gene in 16 of the 37 positive horses to identify the presence of sub-Assemblages.
Findings of the Study
- Thirty-seven samples (8.6%) were found to be infected with different Assemblages of the parasite.
- The genetic characterization of the 16 horses with the β-giardin gene indicated the presence of certain sub-Assemblages:
- Ten isolates were highly similar to the sub-Assemblage types B1-2 and B1-6.
- Three isolates from Assemblage A had close homology with sub-Assemblage A1.
- One isolate from Assemblage E showed significant homology with sub-Assemblage E3.
- Interestingly, one Assemblage A showed strong homology with the sub-Assemblage B1-2, and one Assemblage E was 100% identical with sub-Assemblage B1-6. These findings suggest the potential for crossover or evolution between sub-Assemblages.
Implications of the Study
- The research shows both animal and human sub-Assemblages of G. duodenalis are present in horses, which may indicate that horses are a potential transmission route for this parasite to humans. This raises significant epidemiological and sanitary concerns.
- This information could help inform strategies to prevent and control the spread of the G. duodenalis parasite, including improved horse and stable hygiene practices, and more extensive health monitoring of horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Traversa D, Otranto D, Milillo P, Latrofa MS, Giangaspero A, Di Cesare A, Paoletti B.
(2012).
Giardia duodenalis sub-Assemblage of animal and human origin in horses.
Infect Genet Evol, 12(8), 1642-1646.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2012.06.014 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Italy. dtraversa@unite.it
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
- DNA, Protozoan / analysis
- DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
- Feces / parasitology
- Genotyping Techniques
- Giardia lamblia / classification
- Giardia lamblia / genetics
- Giardia lamblia / isolation & purification
- Giardiasis / epidemiology
- Giardiasis / parasitology
- Giardiasis / veterinary
- Horses
- Humans
- Italy / epidemiology
- Phylogeny
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Protozoan Proteins / genetics
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Zoonoses
Citations
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