Abstract
Giardia intestinalis, a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite, is one of the most common causes of protozoal diarrhea in both humans and animals worldwide. Although G. intestinalis has been detected in many animals, information regarding its prevalence and genotype in Chinese racehorses is scarce. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of G. intestinalis in racehorses and performed molecular characterization of the pathogen to assess its zoonotic potential. Two hundred and sixty-four racehorse fecal samples from six equestrian clubs located in different regions of the Sichuan province of southwestern China were examined. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the gene encoding triose-phosphate isomerase (tpi) showed the prevalence of G. intestinalis to be 8.3% (22/264), and the prevalence in different clubs varied from 3.6% to 13.5%. Three assemblages were identified in the successfully sequenced samples, including the potentially zoonotic assemblages A (n = 5) and B (n = 14), the mouse-specific assemblage G (n = 3), and a mixed A and B assemblage. Sequence analysis of tpi, glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and beta giardin (bg) loci revealed that the majority of sequences isolated from assemblage A were identical to the subtype AIV and assemblage B isolates showed variability among the nucleotide sequences of the subtype BIV. Using the nomenclature for the multilocus genotype (MLG) model, one each of multilocus genotypes A (MLG1) and B (MLG2) were identified, with MLG2 being a novel genotype. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate G. intestinalis in Chinese racehorses. The presence of both animal and human assemblages of G. intestinalis in racehorses indicated that these animals might constitute a potential zoonotic risk to human beings.
Highlights
IntroductionG. lamblia, G. duodenalis) is a common flagellate intestinal parasite that can infect a wide range of animals, including humans, domestic animals, and wildlife [1]
The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and assemblages of G. intestinalis in Chinese racehorses to assess their potential for zoonotic transmission
63.6% (14/22) of the G. intestinalis-positive samples were infected with assemblage B, whereas 22.7% (5/22) were infected with assemblage A and 13.6% (3/22) were infected with assemblage G
Summary
G. lamblia, G. duodenalis) is a common flagellate intestinal parasite that can infect a wide range of animals, including humans, domestic animals, and wildlife [1]. At least eight assemblages or genotypes (A to H) of G. intestinalis have been described based on molecular analysis of G. intestinalis isolates from different host species [2, 3]. Assemblages A and B, which are considered to be potentially zoonotic, are responsible for the majority of human/ mammalian infections, whereas the other assemblages are hostspecific [4]. Assemblages C and D are identified in dogs and are occasionally reported in humans [5]. Assemblage E predominantly infects ruminants and pigs, assemblage F infects cats, assemblage G infects mice and rats, and assemblage H infects marine mammals [6,7,8]
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