Enumerating genotypic diversity and host specificity of Giardia in wild rodents around a New York watershed.

ABSTRACT: Giardia is a genus of flagellated protozoans that parasitize the gastrointestinal tract of humans and wildlife worldwide. While G. duodenalis is well-studied due to its potential to cause outbreaks of diarrheal illness in humans, other Giardia species from wildlife have been largely understudied. This study examines the occurrence, host specificity, and genotypic diversity of Giardia in wild rodents living within the New York City water supply watershed. A novel nested PCR assay targeting the 18S ssu-rDNA gene is introduced, which captures nearly the entire gene for improved species-level determination versus existing molecular typing methods. Molecular characterization of 55 Giardia specimens reveals at least seven novel lineages. Phylogenetic analysis i

SUBMITTER: Seabolt MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11462367 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature