Molecular Characterization and Risk Factors of Giardia duodenalis among School Children from La Habana, Cuba

Giardia duodenalis is considered the most common protozoan infecting humans worldwide. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis isolates has revealed the existence of eight groups (assemblages A to H) which differ in their host distribution. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 639 children f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Parasitology Research 2015, Vol.2015 (2015), p.73-80
Main Authors: Puebla, Luis Enrique Jerez, Nunez, Fidel A, Silva, Isabel Ma, Rivero, Lazara Rojas, Gonzalez, Marta Ma, Sutil, Yuliet Mendez, Valdes, Lucia Ayllon, Millan, Irais Atencio, Muller, Norbert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Development and progression
Genetic aspects
Giardia
Giardia lamblia
Giardiasis
Physiological aspects
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Summary:Giardia duodenalis is considered the most common protozoan infecting humans worldwide. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis isolates has revealed the existence of eight groups (assemblages A to H) which differ in their host distribution. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 639 children from La Habana between January and December 2013. Two assemblage-specific PCRs were carried out for the molecular characterization. The overall prevalence of Giardia infection was 11.9%. DNA from 63 of 76 (82.9%) samples was successfully amplified by PCR-tpi, while 58 from 76 (76.3%) were detected by PCRE1-HF. Similar results by both PCRs were obtained in 54 from 76 samples (71%). According to these analyses, assemblage B and mixed assemblages A + B account for most of the Giardia infections in the cohort of children tested. Our current study identified assemblage B as predominant genotype in children infected with Giardia. Univariate analysis indicated that omission of washing hands before eating and keeping dogs at home were significant risk factors for a Giardia infection. In the future, novel molecular tools for a better discrimination of assemblages at the subassemblages level are needed to verify possible correlations between Giardia genotypes and symptomatology of giardiasis.
ISSN:2090-0023
2090-0031
DOI:10.1155/2015/378643