ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Giardia duodenalis, one of the most common intestinal protozoa, infects a wide range of vertebrates, including humans and animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 84 Giardia duodenalis positive stool samples were collected from 3580 patients attending the Imam Ali Hospital and two public health centers in Andimeshk County, southwestern Iran. Stool samples were examined initially by microscopy, and then G. duodenalis was confirmed by SSU rRNA gene and genotypes were determined by amplification of the gdh and ß-giardin genes. RESULTS: The SSU rRNA, gdh, and ß-giardin genes were successfully amplified in 89.3%, 58.3%, and 51.2% samples, respectively. Of the positive samples for gdh and ß-giardin, 40 isolates were successfully sequenced. Twenty-three isolates belonged to assemblage A, sub-assemblage AII, and 17 belonged to assemblage B. Of the 24 successfully amplified asymptomatic cases, 12 belonged to assemblage A and 12 belonged to assemblage B. CONCLUSION: The current study found that 64.3% of the patients were asymptomatic. From an epidemiological point of view, the high percentage of asymptomatic patients is important because of their role in the transmission of Giardia. The predominant assemblage was assemblage A, sub-assemblage AII. In general, therefore, it seems that most infections are probably transmitted by anthroponotic pathways in the region.
Subject(s)
DNA, Protozoan/genetics , Giardia lamblia/genetics , Giardiasis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Asymptomatic Infections/epidemiology , Child , Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics , Feces/parasitology , Female , Genotype , Giardia lamblia/classification , Giardiasis/parasitology , Glutamate Dehydrogenase/genetics , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Phylogeny , Prevalence , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The foodborne diseases are amongst the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the human communities. Giardia duodenalis, the causative agent of giardiasis, is one of the foodborne parasites, which has public health importance. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of G. duodenalis among food handlers in Andimeshk County, southwest of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was undertaken among 480 food handlers in 2015. The collected stool specimens were investigated using direct saline smear, Lugol's iodine- staining, and sucrose flotation methods. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in the examined participants was 12 (2.5%). The higher prevalence 75% (9/12) was found among participants with medium and low levels of education and 25% (3/12) belonged to those with high level of education. Direct microscopic examinations revealed two (0.4%) positive cases infected with Hymenolepis nana, with one of them showing mixed infection with G. duodenalis. CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, infected food handlers could be a potential source of intestinal parasitic infections, and transmission can occur through contaminated food. Therefore, we suggest that food handlers training programs should be implemented to increase the awareness of food handlers and reduce the transmission of intestinal parasites.
