Detection of zoonotic and livestock-specific assemblages of Giardia duodenalis in free-living wild lizards

Aurora Reboredo-Fernández,Hipólito Gómez-Couso,Simone Mario Cacciò,Elvira Ares-Mazás,Pedro Galán

doi:10.1590/s1984-29612017034

Abstract

Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic parasite that infects the gut of a wide range of vertebrates, including numerous wildlife species. However, little is known about this protozoan parasite in reptiles. Fecal samples from 31 wild lizards were collected in Galicia (northwest Spain) and screened for the presence of Giardia by PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region in the ribosomal unit. This allowed detection of the parasite in 5 samples (16.1%), and enabled identification of G. duodenalis assemblage A2 in two samples of Iberian rock lizard (Iberolacerta monticola), G. duodenalis assemblage B in other two samples of I. monticola, and G. duodenalis assemblage E in one sample of Bocage's wall lizard (Podarcis bocagei). The results obtained after PCR amplification and sequencing of the SSU-rDNA gene confirmed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblage A in two samples of I. monticola. This is the first report of G. duodenalis in free-living lizards, although further studies are needed to distinguish between actual infection and mechanical dissemination of cysts. The detection of zoonotic and livestock-specific assemblages of G. duodenalis demonstrates the wide environmental contamination by this parasite, possibly due to human activities.

Highlights

Diseases of wildlife populations have attracted attention mostly if these affect human wellbeing or because of economic implications
The results obtained after PCR amplification and sequencing of the SSU-rDNA gene confirmed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblage A in two samples of I. monticola
Four sequences were 99% similar to other deposited in GenBank, of which two corresponded to G. duodenalis assemblage A2 and the other two to G. duodenalis assemblage B

Summary

Introduction

Diseases of wildlife populations have attracted attention mostly if these affect human wellbeing or because of economic implications. Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic parasite that infects the gut of a wide range of vertebrates, including numerous wildlife species.

Results

Conclusion