Determination of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in sheep and goat from Iran

Giardia duodenalis is an important zoonotic intestinal protozoan worldwide So far, seven assemblages have recognized for G. duodenalis (A-G) and there are the firm findings which assemblages A and B have zoonotic potential and assemblage E in livestock. In the presented work, the G. duodenalis isolate were determined genetically by the single PCR ssu-rRNA and nested PCR of triose-phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes in asymptomatic and symptomatic sheep and goats from Ahvaz, south west of Iran. The results revealed that only assemblage E, livestock-associated G. duodenalis was present in sheep and goat isolates. The results also presented 19.8 and 15.9 % prevalence of G. duodenalis infection sheep and goats under 12 month age, respectively. There was a significant relationship between formless stool and existence of isolates. We suggest although G. duodenalis is prevalent in sheep and goats but, these animals have no zoonotic risk for giardiasis in Ahvaz, Iran, but this parasite may play a role on enteric disorder of sheep and goats.