Genetic characterizations of Giardia duodenalis in sheep and goats in Heilongjiang Province, China and possibility of zoonotic transmission.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Giardia duodenalis is a widespread intestinal protozoan of both humans and mammals. To date, few epidemiological studies have assessed the potential and importance of zoonotic transmission; and the human giardiasis burden attributable to G. duodenalis of animal origin is unclear. No information about occurrence and genotyping data of sheep and goat giardiasis is available in China. The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence and distribution of G. duodenalis in sheep and goats in Heilongjiang Province, China, and to characterize G. duodenalis isolates and assess the possibility of zoonotic transmission.

Methodology/principal findings

A total of 678 fecal specimens were collected from sheep and goats on six farms ranging in age from one month to four y

SUBMITTER: Zhang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3447956 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature