Multilocus genotyping and risk factor analysis of Giardia duodenalis in dogs in Korea.

This study analyzed Giardia infections, implementing multilocus genotyping, including the 18S rRNA, gdh, and β-giardin genes, in sheltered, companion, and special-purpose dogs throughout Korea. Of 640 dog stool samples, 99 (15.5%) were G. duodenalis-positive; this prevalence was similar to that previously reported in Korean calves. In addition, the prevalence was significantly higher in the southern region, and lower in non-sheltered dogs, older dogs, and in the autumn season. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all G. duodenalis-positive samples belonged to assemblages C and D. Although no G. duodenalis assemblages A and B (mainly found in humans) were identified in this study, assemblage C was detected in the main types of dogs in contact with humans. Assemblage C, thought to be dog-specific, was recently identified in humans. As Giardia (including zoonotic assemblages) is distributed throughout Korea, dog living environments and the potential for dog-human transmission should be monitored. PMID: 31356789 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Acta Tropica - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Acta Trop Source Type: research