Abstract
Fragmented data are so far available on genotype diversity of G. duodenalis in wildlife in different countries in Europe, in particular, in Italy. In the present study, G. duodenalis sequences obtained from different Italian wild animals [12 porcupines (Hystrix cristata), 4 wild boars (Sus scrofa), 1 wolf (Canis lupus italicus), 6 Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra)] were compared with those available from wild host species in Europe to add new data on the geographic distribution of Giardia assemblages/sub-assemblages and their transmission patterns among natural hosts. Thirty-eight sequences were obtained by MLG analysis (SSU-rRNA, bg, gdh, and tpi genes) and subsequently compared by phylogenetic and network analyses with those from wild species monitored in the last decades in Europe. The results revealed the presence of potentially zoonotic (A-AI, A-AII from wild boar; B from porcupine) and host-adapted (D from wolf; E, A-AIII from chamois) assemblages and sub-assemblages and represent the first report for Italian wild boar. The analysis did not find any evidence of spatial or host segregation for specific genetic variants, mostly shared between different hosts from different European countries. However, conflicting evidence was found in genotypic assignment, advocating for data improvement and new genomic approaches.
Highlights
Introduction iationsParasites in wildlife are a significant component of biodiversity, and their life cycles depend on the ecological networks in which they live [1,2,3], representing fundamental elements of healthy ecosystems [4,5]
Sequence analysis of the SSU-rRNA gene fragment allowed to assign all the 23 isolates to their respective G. duodenalis assemblages. As expected for this locus, no differences among the sequences here analyzed were observed within each assemblage
Hp6 was detected in Italy to sequences described as assemblage
Summary
Parasites in wildlife are a significant component of biodiversity, and their life cycles depend on the ecological networks in which they live [1,2,3], representing fundamental elements of healthy ecosystems [4,5]. Considerable advances have been achieved in the knowledge of parasites in wildlife and on their complex interactions with the hosts, but comprehensive pictures of taxa distribution and prevalence within specific epidemiological contexts are frequently missing. Giardia Kunstler, 1882 is one of the most common intestinal protozoa, transmitted through fecal deposition of cysts by an infected host. Transmission of this parasite via contaminated water and/or food to other hosts, such as domestic animals or humans, may Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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