Identifying human enteric parasitic infections in Greece, with focus on Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Identifying human enteric parasitic infections in Greece, with focus on Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Exp Parasitol. 2020 Feb 20;:107864 Authors: Kostopoulou D, Claerebout E, Arvanitis D, Ligda P, Casaert S, Sotiraki S Abstract A study was conducted in two different areas in Greece to investigate the presence of intestinal human parasitic infections (targeting healthy and individuals with diarrhoea). In total, 876 stool samples were collected from 822 adults and 54 children. Both sedimentation (acid/ether) and concentration/flotation techniques were performed in all samples to detect intestinal parasites. Additionally, a quantitative direct immunofluorescence assay was used specifically for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium. PCR followed by sequencing was applied to genotype Giardia and Cryptosporidium positive samples. Thirty-five (4%) of the individuals examined harboured at least one species of intestinal parasite, the majority of which were protozoa (3.8%). The species found were Blastocystis hominis (1.8%), Giardia duodenalis (1.3%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.6%), Entamoeba coli (0.2%) and E. histolytica/E. dispar (0.1%). Two persons were positive for Enterobius vermicularis. Genotyping results revealed the presence of G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII, whereas sequencing was not successful for Cryptosporidium positive samples. A novel multi-locus genotype of G. duodenalis was identified, which has not been described in h...
Source: Experimental Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Tags: Exp Parasitol Source Type: research