The First Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Human Giardia Duodenalis Isolates Using Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) in Khuzestan Province
Authors
-
Mehdi Tavalla
- Dept. of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8337-6673
-
Fatemeh Asgarian
- School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3107-848X
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22100/jkh.v19i3.3311Keywords:
Giardia duodenalis, Assemblage, MLST, KhuzestanAbstract
Introduction: Giardia duodenalis is one of the most important agents of water- and food-borne parasites. The genetic characteristics of this parasite play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. This study represents the first genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in humans using the MLST technique on housekeeping genes, performed in Khuzestan province.
Methods: The genomic DNA was extracted from cysts isolated from 129 human fecal specimens, and the diagnosis of G. duodenalis was verified by amplifying a 350 bp fragment of the SSU-rRNA gene. Nested PCR targeting the tpi and β-giardin genes, as well as semi-nested PCR of the gdh gene, were carried out to amplify the 530 bp, 511 bp, and 432 bp fragments of these genes, respectively, followed by sequencing of the amplified fragments. Phylogenetic analysis was then performed to determine the assemblages and sub-assemblages present.
Results: Among the 29 specimens that were successfully genotyped for one of the three genes, assemblages A and B were identified in 23 (79.31%) and 6 (20.69%) specimens, respectively. The present study found no significant correlations between assemblages and clinical symptoms, nor with the place of residence. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of sub-assemblages AII and BIV.
Conclusion: The results showed that assemblage A and sub-assemblage AII are the dominant genotypes in Khuzestan province. The identification of sub-assemblages AII and BIV suggests an anthroponotic transmission route. However, further study is necessary to determine the transmission route of Giardia infection from animals to humans.
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