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First genetic characterisation of Giardia in human isolates from Jordan

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Abstract

Little is known about the epidemiology of Giardia in Jordan and to date, no genotyping studies have been conducted on Giardia isolates from Jordanians. In the present study, a total of 49 microscopy-positive faecal samples from Jordanian patients suffering from giardiasis were analysed at two loci: the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) gene and the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. At the tpi locus, a total of 28 samples amplified and assemblage A was identified in 46.4 % (13/28) samples, while assemblage B was identified in 50 % (14/28) samples and a mixed assemblage A and B was identified in one sample (3.6 %) (Table 1). At the gdh locus 48 isolates amplified and of these assemblages A was identified in 43.7 % (21/48) of isolates and assemblage B in 56.3 % (27/48) of isolates. No mixed infections were detected at the gdh locus. Subtyping at the gdh locus identified sub-assemblage AII in 43.7 % (21/48) of isolates and sub-assemblages BIII and BIV in 25 % (12/48) and 31.2 % (15/48) of isolates, respectively, with more genetic diversity in AII isolates than BIII or BIV isolates. Novel sub-types within each sub-assemblage were identified suggesting unique endemicity and anthroponotic transmission of Giardia in Jordanian patients suffering from giardiasis. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology and transmission of Giardia in Jordan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, PO Box 150459, Zarqa, 13115, Jordan

    Nawal Hijjawi, Yasmeen Yassin & Taghrid Mharib

  2. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia

    Rongchang Yang & Una Ryan

  3. Department of Basic Veterinary Medical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

    Rami Mukbel

Authors
  1. Nawal Hijjawi
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  2. Rongchang Yang
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  3. Rami Mukbel
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  4. Yasmeen Yassin
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  5. Taghrid Mharib
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  6. Una Ryan
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Correspondence to Una Ryan.

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Human samples were collected under human ethics permit number 1401254/32.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The authors certify that they have no affiliation with or financial involvement in any organisation or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript.

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Hijjawi, N., Yang, R., Mukbel, R. et al. First genetic characterisation of Giardia in human isolates from Jordan. Parasitol Res 115, 3723–3729 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5132-0

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