Abstract
BackgroundGiardia duodenalis is an important intestinal protozoan infecting both humans and animals, causing significant public health concern and immeasurable economic losses to animal husbandry. Sheep and goats have been reported as common reservoirs of G. duodenalis, but only a limited amount of information is available for native breeds of these small ruminants in China. The present study investigated the prevalence and multilocus genotypes of G. duodenalis in black-boned sheep and goats, two important native breeds in Yunnan Province, southwestern China.MethodsFecal samples were collected from 336 black-boned goats and 325 black-boned sheep from five counties (Meishui, Shanshu, Shilin, Yongsheng and Nanping) of Yunnan Province and the genomic DNA was extracted from these feces. The prevalence of G. duodenalis was determined by the nested PCR targeting the β-giardin (bg) gene. The assemblages and multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were investigated based on analyses of three genetic loci, i.e. bg, glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi).ResultsGiardia duodenalis infection was detected in both black-boned sheep and goats, and the prevalence of G. duodenalis in black-boned sheep (21.8%, 71/325) was significantly higher (χ2 = 36.63, df = 1, P < 0.001) than that in black-boned goats (4.8%, 16/336). Significant differences in prevalence were also observed in goats and sheep from different counties (χ2 = 39.83, df = 4, P < 0.001) and age groups (χ2 = 97.33, df = 3, P < 0.001). Zoonotic assemblage A and animal-specific assemblage E were identified in both black-boned sheep and goats with the latter as the predominant assemblage. Based on sequences obtained from the three genetic loci (bg, gdh and tpi), 16 MLGs were obtained in black-boned sheep and goats, including 15 MLGs in assemblage E and one MLG in assemblage A.ConclusionsOur results not only extended the host range of G. duodenalis, but also revealed high genetic variations in G. duodenalis assemblages. The findings of the present study also provide baseline data for preventing and controlling G. duodenalis infection in black-boned sheep and goats in Yunnan Province.
Highlights
Giardia duodenalis is an important intestinal protozoan infecting both humans and animals, causing significant public health concern and immeasurable economic losses to animal husbandry
71 were from black-boned sheep [prevalence of 21.8% (71/325)] (Table 1), and 16 were from blackboned goats [prevalence of 4.8% (16/336)] (Table 1); a significant difference was observed between these two species (χ2 = 36.63, df = 1, P < 0.001)
We found that the occurrence of G. duodenalis decreased as age increased in these animals, with the highest prevalence found in animals < 2 months (54.3%, 19/35), followed by 3–6 months (37.3%, 19/51), 7–12 months (16.3%, 41/252) and > 12 months (2.5%, 8/323) (χ2 = 97.33, df = 3, P < 0.001)
Summary
Giardia duodenalis is an important intestinal protozoan infecting both humans and animals, causing significant public health concern and immeasurable economic losses to animal husbandry. Sheep and goats have been reported as common reservoirs of G. duodenalis, but only a limited amount of information is available for native breeds of these small ruminants in China. The present study investigated the prevalence and multilocus genotypes of G. duodenalis in black-boned sheep and goats, two important native breeds in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Giardia duodenalis (syns Giardia lamblia, Giardia intestinalis) is one of the most common parasites that causes intestinal infections of humans and various animals worldwide [1,2,3], and about 280 million people have symptomatic infections annually [4, 5]. Due to drug resistance and known cases of treatment failure [11, 12], it is essential to find the source of the infection for effective control of this parasitic disease
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