First report of Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B in wild hornbills

The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is internationally known for its biodiversity and is recognized as one of an Important Bird Area (IBA). There are eight species of hornbills that persist in the fragmented landscape of Kinabatangan, Sabah. While the lack of nesting sites, food resources and hunting threats have been well described, little is known about the health status of these birds in the wild. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia genotypes in the wild populations of hornbills in Sabah, East Malaysia as it may have implications to current conservation strategies. Understanding the distribution of parasites in wildlife is a crucial area of study, as parasites can have a substantial impact on the health and viability of wild animals, as well as zoonotic consequences. At the time of writing, the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia protozoa in wildlife has been understudied and poorly documented in Southeast Asia. This study provides the first molecular evidence of zoonotic Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B in hornbills. These findings are important to assess the health of wild populations of endangered hornbills. In addition, to emphasize the importance of monitoring the distribution of assemblages of G. duodenalis with a broad host distribution as top priority for the development of appropriate public health policies to reduce the potential transmission of this enteric protozoan.