Molecular characterization of Giardia lamblia in children less than five years of age with diarrhea attending the Bengo General Hospital, Northern Angola
Date
2018
Authors
Gasparinho, Carolina
Ferreira, Filipa S.
Mayer, António Carlos
Mirante, Maria Clara
Vaz Nery, Susana
Santos-Reis, Ana
Portugal-Calisto, Daniela
Brito, Miguel
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Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Background
Giardia lamblia is a pathogenic intestinal protozoan with high prevalence in developing countries, especially among children. Molecular characterization has revealed the existence of eight assemblages, with A and B being more commonly described in human infections. Despite its importance, to our knowledge this is the first published molecular analysis of G. lamblia assemblages in Angola.
Methods
The present study aimed to identify the assemblages of G. lamblia in children with acute diarrhoea presenting at the Bengo General Hospital, Angola. A stool sample was collected and microscopy and immunochromatographic tests were used. DNA was extracted and assemblage determination was performed through amplification of the gene fragment ssu-rRNA (175 bp) and β-giardin (511 bp) through polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.
Results
Of the 16 stool samples screened, 12 were successfully sequenced. Eleven isolates were assigned to assemblage B and one to assemblage A. Subassemblage determination was not possible for assemblage B, while the single isolate assigned to assemblage A was identified as belonging to subassemblage A3.
Conclusion
This study provides information about G. lamblia assemblages in Bengo Province, Angola and may contribute as a first step in understanding the molecular epidemiology of this protozoan in the country.
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Source
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Type
Journal article
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Access Statement
Open Access