Genotypic cha
Genotypic characterization
of Giardia duodenalis in children in Menoufiya and Sharkiya
governorates, Egypt
Gehan S. Sadek1,
Magda A. El-Settawy2 and Soha A. Nasr3
Parasitology
Department1'2, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University1 and
Zagazig University2 and Clinical Pathology Department3,
National Research Center
Abstract: Giardia
duodenalis is among the most common intestinal protozoa and is the most
frequent parasitic agent of gastroenteritis worldwide. Chronic or recurrent
giardiasis in children have been associated with malnutrition, wasting and
stunting, most likely due to malabsorption caused by the parasites. Also, this
parasite could cause reduced cognitive functions at later age. Genotypic
characterization of Giardia duodenalishas been shown to be a useful tool
in epidemiological studies and outbreak investigations. Molecular techniques
based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with techniques such as
restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) have been successfully used for
differentiation of Giardia duodenalisgenotypes. Considering the molecular
differences and diversity of the prevalence of Giardia duodenalisassemblages
in different regions of the world, and in view of probable correlation
between Giardia duodenalisassemblage and clinical symptoms, this study was
aimed to assess the genotypes of Giardia duodenalisisolates from patients
with giardiasis in two governorates of Egypt namely Menoufiya and Sharkiya and
its relation to clinical manifestations of the disease. Eighty samples were
collected from Menoufiya Governorate and eighty one samples from Sharkiya
Governorate. Samples were collected from children aged 5-12 years of both
sexes. Samples were examined as wet smear after staining with Lugol's iodine.
Negative samples were further examined by Trichrome stain. All positive samples
were subjected to examination by PCR-RFLP to detect Giardia duodenalis genotypes.
Prevalence of giardiasis in Menoufiya Governorate was 30% and it was 28.4% in
Sharkiya Governorate. Assemblage AII represents 83.33% of Menoufiya samples and
70.59% of Sharkiya samples while assemblage BIII represents 16.67% of Menoufiya
samples and 29.41% of Sharkiya samples. There was a high statistical
significant association between assemblage AII and clinical manifestations of
the disease, also between assemblage AII and age group 5-8 years. It was
concluded that determination of the genetic grouping of Giardia
duodenalis is a useful way to understand the infection route, to prevent
infection effectively, to reveal the critical issues in the molecular
epidemiology of this parasite, and finally to address important questions
related to human health in Egypt. PCR-RFLP is a sensitive and powerful
analytical tool that allows effective genotype discrimination within and
between assemblages.
[Gehan S.
Sadek, Magda A. El-Settawy and Soha A. Nasr.. Genotypic
characterization of Giardia duodenalis in children in Menoufiya and
Sharkiya governorates, Egypt. Life Sci J 2013;10(1):3006-3015].
(ISSN: 1097-8135).http://www.lifesciencesite.com.
Key words: Giardia duodenalis, gdh gene, PCR-RFLP, Menoufiya Governorate, Sharkiya Governorate, Egypt.
