Molecular identification of Giardia intestinalis in two cities of the Colombian Caribbean Coast.

INTRODUCTION: Parasitoses are an important health problem and its post-infectious consequences can cause high morbidity and mortality, worldwide. Epidemiological data is scarce in our region. We aimed to obtain frequency and circulating genotypes of Giardia intestinalis in two cities of the Caribbean Coast. METHODS: To identify parasites in samples, a fecal concentration and microscopical examination were performed. For further identification and genotyping of G. intestinalis, molecular analyses were performed using specific available primers. RESULTS: Only 22.1% of participants had gastrointestinal symptoms (most frequently: abdominal pain and diarrhea). Microscopy examination was positive in 72.7% of the samples. The most frequent parasite was G. intestinalis (48.1%) and we found mixed parasitic infections in 46.7% of the participants. All the samples from Santa Marta were molecularly characterized as assemblage A of G. intestinalis, while in Cartagena we confirmed the presence of assemblages A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular tools are important in the diagnosis of parasites and to increase comprehension of their distribution. In this study, a higher frequency of parasites, mostly protozoa, was observed.

Caracterización genética por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa de Giardia intestinalis en muestras de humanos y perros del Caribe colombiano / Genetic profiling of Giardia intestinalis by polimerase chain in human and dogs samples of Colombian Caribean Coast

INTRODUCCIÓN: Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) es un protozoario causante de enfermedad diarreica y síndrome de malabsorción en humanos y otros mamíferos. Presenta alta diversidad genética evidenciada en el reconocimiento de 7 genotipos (A-G). Los genotipos A y B están comúnmente asociados a humanos y a animales domésticos como perros. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar la primera caracterización genética preliminar de G. intestinalis en muestras fecales de humanos y perros de 2 ciudades de la costa Caribe colombiana. MÉTODOS: Para la toma de muestras humanas fueron seleccionadas algunas zonas con altas cifras de enfermedad diarreica aguda, recolectando muestras de heces en niños menores de 7 años con diagnóstico coprológico positivo para G. intestinalis. Las muestras de heces de perros fueron recolectadas en las zonas donde residían los niños incluidos en el estudio. Los quistes fueron purificados por gradiente de sacarosa y posteriormente se obtuvo el ADN por extracción con solventes orgánicos. La caracterización molecular se realizó amplificando el gen triosa fosfato isomerasa (tpi)por PCR-semianidada. RESULTADOS: Fueron obtenidas 202 en total; de estas, 111 (13 de perros y 98 de niños) fueron positivas en el examen coprológico. La distribución de los genotipos en las muestras positivas fue: el 5,1% pertenecieron al genotipo A presente solo en humanos y el 92,3% al genotipo B. El genotipo B tuvo presencia en humanos y animales. CONCLUSIONES: El genotipo más frecuente tanto en muestras de humanos como animales fue el B, con lo cual podría especularse un ciclo de transmisión zoonótica

INTRODUCTION: Giardia intestinalis (G. Intestinalis) is a protozoan that causes diarrheal disease and malabsorption syndrome in humans and other mammals. It presents a high genetic diversity evidenced in the recognition of 7 genotypes (A-G). Genotypes A and B are commonly associated to humans and domestic animals such as dogs. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary genetic characterization of G. intestinalis in humans and dogs from two cities on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. METHODS Sampling areas were selected according to the highest numbers of acute diarrheal disease. Stool samples were collected from children under 7 years old, with positive medical tests for G. intestinalis. Cysts were purified by sucrose gradient and DNA samples were isolated by extraction with organic solvents. Molecular characterization was performed by amplifying the gene triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) by using a semi-nested PCR.RESULTS:A total of 202 samples of DNA were obtained; of these, 111 were positive in coproparasitological analysis (13 dogs and 98 children). Genotype distribution in positive samples was: 5.1% belonged to genotype A and 92.3% to genotype B. Genotype B was present in humans and animals. CONCLUSIONS: The most common genotype in both human and animal samples was genotype B, suggesting a zoonotic transmission cycle (AU)

[Genetic profiling of Giardia intestinalis by polimerase chain in human and dogs samples of Colombian Caribean Coast]. / Caracterización genética por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa de Giardia intestinalis en muestras de humanos y perros del Caribe colombiano.

INTRODUCTION: Giardia intestinalis (G. Intestinalis) is a protozoan that causes diarrheal disease and malabsorption syndrome in humans and other mammals. It presents a high genetic diversity evidenced in the recognition of 7 genotypes (A-G). Genotypes A and B are commonly associated to humans and domestic animals such as dogs. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary genetic characterization of G. intestinalis in humans and dogs from two cities on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. METHODS: Sampling areas were selected according to the highest numbers of acute diarrheal disease. Stool samples were collected from children under 7 years old, with positive medical tests for G. intestinalis. Cysts were purified by sucrose gradient and DNA samples were isolated by extraction with organic solvents. Molecular characterization was performed by amplifying the gene triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) by using a semi-nested PCR. RESULTS: A total of 202 samples of DNA were obtained; of these, 111 were positive in coproparasitological analysis (13 dogs and 98 children). Genotype distribution in positive samples was: 5.1% belonged to genotype A and 92.3% to genotype B. Genotype B was present in humans and animals. CONCLUSIONS: The most common genotype in both human and animal samples was genotype B, suggesting a zoonotic transmission cycle.