Standardization and evaluation of the PCR-RFLP technique for the genotyping of Giardia lamblia isolates and potential use in epidemiological studies

Abstract

Giardia lamblia (syn. G. duodenalis, G. intestinalis) is a protozoan parasite of the small intestine of mammals. Nearly 200 million people are affected worldwide, with an estimated annual incidence of 500,000 cases. Infection can be either asymptomatic or involve acute or chronic relapsing diarrhea. Despite being considered a single species, there is extensive genetic variability in G. lamblia, with human or animal-specific genetic groups, and groups with zoonotic potential. The determination of G. lamblia genotypes which are being transmitted among humans and/or animals is an important tool for the investigation of human giardiasis outbreaks and allows the assessment of the zoonotic potential of these animals. To date, similar investigations in Brazil have not been published. (AU)