Molecular characterisation of Giardia duodenalis from human and companion animal sources in the United Kingdom using an improved triosephosphate isomerase molecular marker

Krumrie, S. , Capewell, P. , McDonald, M. , Dunbar, D., Panarese, R., Katzer, F., El Sakka, N., Mellor, D. , Alexander, C. L. and Weir, W. (2022) Molecular characterisation of Giardia duodenalis from human and companion animal sources in the United Kingdom using an improved triosephosphate isomerase molecular marker. Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases, 2(2022), 100105. (doi: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100105) (PMID:36504596) (PMCID:PMC9731890)

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Abstract

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite known for its ability to cause gastrointestinal disease in human and non-human mammals. In the UK, the full impact of this parasite has yet to be fully explored, due to the limited testing which has been undertaken in humans and the low-resolution assemblage-typing methods currently available. Rather than being primarily a travel-associated condition, a recent study has highlighted that an endemic Giardia cycle is present in the UK, although the source of human disease is unclear in the majority of cases. This study focussed on the improvement of one of the commonly used assemblage-typing assays, a nested topoisomerase phosphate (tpi) PCR, to increase the amplification success rate across both human and companion animal samples. After comparing published primers to full Giardia reference genomes, this marker protocol was optimised and then deployed to test a substantial number of human (n ​= ​79) and companion animal (n ​= ​174) samples to gain an insight into the molecular epidemiology of Giardia in the UK. One assemblage A1 and eleven assemblage A2 genotypes were detected in humans, along with and 25 assemblage B genotypes. Assemblage A1 genotypes, known to be human-infective, were found in three feline and one canine sample, while one feline sample contained assemblage A2. Additionally, four feline samples contained assemblage B, which is recognised as potentially human-infective. This study demonstrates the presence of potentially human-infective Giardia genotypes circulating in the companion animal population, notably with 17.4% (8/46) of feline-derived Giardia strains being potentially zoonotic. Using a modified tpi-based genotyping assay, this work highlights the potential for domestic pets to be involved in the endemic transmission of giardiasis in the UK and underlines the need for appropriate hygiene measures to be observed when interacting with both symptomatic and asymptomatic animals. It also serves to underline the requirement for further studies to assess the zoonotic risk of Giardia associated with companion animals in high-income countries.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding: This study was funded by an award by the Chief Scientist Office, reference TCS/18/22 and supported by funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dunbar, Mrs Dawn and McDonald, Mr Mike and Mellor, Professor Dominic and Panarese, Dr Rossella and Weir, Professor Willie and Capewell, Dr Paul and Krumrie, Sarah
Authors: Krumrie, S., Capewell, P., McDonald, M., Dunbar, D., Panarese, R., Katzer, F., El Sakka, N., Mellor, D., Alexander, C. L., and Weir, W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:2667-114X
ISSN (Online):2667-114X
Published Online:26 November 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases (2022):100105
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
303110Investigating the epidemiology of endemic Giardia in Scotland using a whole genome sequencing approachWilliam WeirOffice of the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSO)TCS/18/22Vets - Veterinary Pathology, Public Health & Disease Investigation