Prevalence and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in calves in Turkey
Gultekin, MehmetUral, KeremAysul, NuranAyan, AdnanBalikci, CanberkToplu, SongulAkyildiz, Gurkan
Background: Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) is an ubiquitous, flagellated intestinal protozoan with major public health significance worldwide. Limited data are available on the epidemiology of G. duodenalis in dairy cattle from Turkey. Determining the zoonotic potential of the Giardia infection requires molecular characterization. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and to molecularly characterize G. duodenalis in calves less than three months of age in Aydin, Aegean region of Turkey. Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted on different dairy farms in the south-western part of the Turkey, Aegean Region, Aydin. A total of 198 Holstein Friesian calves less than three months of age, of both sexes were enrolled into the study. Faecal samples from each calf were collected manually from the rectum using a disposable latex glove. The consistency of collected samples was recorded as diarrhoeic or non-diarrhoeic. Diagnosis of G. duodenalis infection was made microscopically by detection of cysts in the faecal samples. One hundred and sixteen (58.5%) of the 198 faecal samples were diarrheic. Giardia cysts were found in 27 (23.28%) of the diarrheic samples and in 8 (9.76%) of nondiarrheic samples (P < 0.05). The overall prevalence of giardiosis in calves was determined as 17.67%. The prevalence of Giardia genotypes was identified by DNA sequence analysis of the beta-giardin gene for every PCR positive sample. The beta-giardin nested PCR assay was revealed assemblage A and sub-genotype A3 was detected in all of 35 samples (100%). Discussion: The highest prevalence of Giardia infection in calves is reported at the age between 1 and 6 months, and the prevalence shows decreased rate from the age of 6 months. The present study was conducted in Aydin, a province of south-western Turkey in the Aegean Region, and the overall prevalence from a total of 198 dairy calves was 17.67%. [ ](AU)
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