Molecular Characterization and Risk Factors ofGiardia duodenalisamong School Children from La Habana, Cuba

[摘要] Giardia duodenalisis considered the most common protozoan infecting humans worldwide. Molecular characterization ofG. duodenalisisolates has revealed the existence of eight groups (assemblages A to H) which differ in their host distribution. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 639 children from La Habana between January and December 2013. Two assemblage-specific PCRs were carried out for the molecular characterization. The overall prevalence ofGiardiainfection was 11.9%. DNA from 63 of 76 (82.9%) samples was successfully amplified by PCR-tpi, while 58 from 76 (76.3%) were detected by PCRE1-HF. Similar results by both PCRs were obtained in 54 from 76 samples (71%). According to these analyses, assemblage B and mixed assemblages A + B account for most of theGiardiainfections in the cohort of children tested. Our current study identified assemblage B as predominant genotype in children infected withGiardia. Univariate analysis indicated that omission of washing hands before eating and keeping dogs at home were significant risk factors for aGiardiainfection. In the future, novel molecular tools for a better discrimination of assemblages at the subassemblages level are needed to verify possible correlations betweenGiardiagenotypes and symptomatology of giardiasis.

[学科分类] 神经科学