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Molecular epidemiology of giardiasis among Orang Asli in Malaysia: application of the triosephosphate isomerase gene.
- Source :
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BMC infectious diseases [BMC Infect Dis] 2014 Feb 12; Vol. 14, pp. 78. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Feb 12. - Publication Year :
- 2014
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Abstract
- Background: Giardia duodenalis is a flagellate parasite which has been considered the most common protozoa infecting human worldwide. Molecular characterization of G. duodenalis isolates have revealed the existence of eight groups (Assemblage A to H) which differ in their host distribution. Assemblages A and B are found in humans and in many other mammals.<br />Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify assemblage's related risk factors of G. duodenalis among Orang Asli in Malaysia. Stool samples were collected from 611 individuals aged between 2 and 74 years old of whom 266 were males and 345 were females. Socioeconomic data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire. All stool samples were processed with formalin-ether sedimentation and Wheatley's trichrome staining techniques for the primary identification of G. duodenalis. Molecular identification was carried out by the amplification of a triosephosphate isomerase gene using nested-PCR assay.<br />Results: Sixty-two samples (10.2%) were identified as assemblage A and 36 (5.9%) were assemblage B. Risk analysis based on the detected assemblages using univariate and logistic regression analyses identified subjects who have close contact with household pets i.e. dogs and cats (OR = 2.60; 95% CI = 1.42, 4.78; P = 0.002) was found to be significant predictor for assemblage A. On the other hand, there were three significant risk factors caused by assemblage B: (i) children ≤15 years old (OR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.11, 4.87; P = 0.025), (ii) consuming raw vegetables (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.27, 6.26; P = 0.011) and (iii) the presence of other family members infected with giardiasis (OR = 6.31; 95% CI = 2.99, 13.31; P < 0.001).<br />Conclusions: The present study highlighted that G. duodenalis infection among Orang Asli was caused by both assemblages with significant high prevalence of assemblage A. Therefore, taking precaution after having contact with household pets and their stool, screening and treating infected individuals, awareness on the importance of good health practices and washing vegetables are the practical intervention ways in preventing giardiasis in Orang Asli community.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Animals
Cats
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dogs
Feces parasitology
Female
Humans
Malaysia epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Molecular Epidemiology
Pets
Phylogeny
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Social Class
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
Giardia lamblia
Giardiasis epidemiology
Triose-Phosphate Isomerase genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2334
- Volume :
- 14
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC infectious diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24520940
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-14-78