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Detection and molecular characterization of Giardia isolated from recreational lake water in Malaysia

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Abstract

Nine 50-l surface water samples from a Malaysian recreational lake were examined microscopically using an immunomagnetisable separation–immunofluorescent method. No Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected, but 77.8% of samples contained low numbers of Giardia cysts (range, 0.17–1.1 cysts/l), which were genetically characterised by SSU rRNA gene sequencing. Genotype analyses indicated the presence of Giardia duodenalis assemblage A suggesting potential risk to public health. The present study represents the first contribution to our knowledge of G. duodenalis assemblages in Malaysian recreational water.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are very grateful to Mr. Wan Hafiz WI for technical assistance during sample collection.

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Correspondence to Yvonne A. L. Lim.

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Lim, Y.A.L., Ramasame, S.D., Mahdy, M.A.K. et al. Detection and molecular characterization of Giardia isolated from recreational lake water in Malaysia. Parasitol Res 106, 289–291 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1602-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1602-y

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