Zoonotic aspects of giardiasis: a review

Several studies suggested that some water-borne epidemics of giardiasis in the U.S.A. were of zoonotic origin. Also, cats and dogs were suspected of being sources of giardiasis for man. These observations have been partly supported by experimental cross-transmissions. However, there are also some indications that zoonotic giardiasis may not be common. The host-specificity of Giardia spp. is still controversial. To date, morphological characteristics can only differentiate three very basic types of Giardia: G. intestinalis, G. muris and G. agilis. Host-specific and morphometric criteria resulted in the description of more than 40 species of Giardia; many of them probably invalid. Only a few subtle antigenic differences among G. intestinalis (lamblia) strains have been observed. The comparison of isoenzymes and DNA banding patterns revealed 3 basic groups, not necessarily related to host origin. Further biochemical, immunological, genetic and cross-transmission studies in host and parasite populations are needed to better understand host-specificity of various Giardia isolates. At the present time one may only conclude that although mammals and man do not seem to possess their own unique species of Giardia, in reality the major methods of transmission of giardiasis probably remain basically host-specific.