Abstract
IntroductionThough giardiasis is an important public health problem in Ghana, several aspects of its epidemiology, particularly the molecular epidemiology has not been investigated adequately. This could be a major hindrance to effective surveillance and control of giardiasis in the country. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of Giardia lamblia infecting children at a paediatric hospital in Ghana.MethodsA total of 485 patients including 365 diarrhoea and 120 non-diarrhoea children were enrolled into the study. Stool samples were collected and analysed for parasite presence using microscopy, ELISA and PCR. Positive samples were subsequently characterized into assemblages by PCR-RFLP, and further confirmed with sequencing of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. Epidemiological data on demographic, clinical and behavioral features of the study subjects were also collected.ResultsPrevalence of G. lamblia infections in diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea children were 5.8% and 5% respectively (P>0.5). Sequence data confirmed Giardia lamblia assemblage B as the predominant genotype in both diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea cases. There was no significant association of G. lamblia infection with any of the epidemiological variables investigated.ConclusionOur findings suggest that assemblage B could be the predominant genotype causing giardiasis in children. Increased public health education focusing on good sanitary practices, particularly among mothers and children, could decrease the risk of G. lamblia infection.
Highlights
Though giardiasis is an important public health problem in Ghana, several aspects of its epidemiology, the molecular epidemiology has not been investigated adequately
We present data, discussing risk factors of G. lamblia infection and suggest assemblage B as the predominant genotype causing diarrhoea in Accra, Ghana
There was no significant difference in infections between children with diarrhoea and those without it (P>0.5)
Summary
Though giardiasis is an important public health problem in Ghana, several aspects of its epidemiology, the molecular epidemiology has not been investigated adequately. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of Giardia lamblia infecting children at a paediatric hospital in Ghana. Sequence data confirmed Giardia lamblia assemblage B as the predominant genotype in both diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea cases. Common risk factors associated with G. lamblia infection are socio-demography: improper sanitation, bad personal hygiene, eating of unwashed fruits and vegetables, and drinking of contaminated tap water [2,7]. Fast expansion of new settlements without adequate potable water supply, especially in urban communities, leave large populations to consume untreated water This has increased the risk of water-borne infections, including giardiasis in the country. No major outbreak of the disease has yet been reported in Ghana, the increasingly high incidence, 24-32%, reported in some hospitals and polyclinics [13] as well as 5.1-46.5%, in some community day-care centers [14,15] may suggest wide environmental contamination
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