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A novel Giardia duodenalis assemblage A subtype in fallow deer
M Lalle1, A Frangipane di Regalbono, L Poppi
1Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
The Journal of Parasitology
|June 2, 2007
Summary
Molecular identification revealed Giardia duodenalis assemblage A in fallow deer. This subtype, previously undetected, has a potentially low risk of transmission to humans and other animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Wildlife Health
Background:
- Giardia spp. infections in wild mammals are crucial for understanding disease transmission.
- Molecular identification is key to determining the reservoir potential of wildlife.
- Fallow deer (Dama dama L.) are widespread, but their role in Giardia transmission is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly identify Giardia species and genotypes in fallow deer.
- To assess the prevalence of Giardia in a fallow deer population in Italy.
- To determine the potential zoonotic implications of identified Giardia subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Fecal sample collection from 139 fallow deer.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of beta-giardin and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes.
- DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Giardia isolates.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of Giardia sp. was 11.5% (16/139), higher in fawns.
- Eight isolates yielded amplifiable DNA for sequencing.
- Phylogenetic analysis identified a novel Giardia duodenalis subtype clustering with assemblage A.
Conclusions:
- A novel Giardia duodenalis subtype, related to assemblage A, was identified in fallow deer.
- The genetic distinctiveness suggests a potentially low risk of this subtype infecting humans or domestic animals.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the pathogenicity and transmission dynamics of this novel subtype.
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