IMPACT OF RISK FACTORS ON THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PREVALENCE OF GIARDIA LAMBLIA ASSEMBLAGES IN KAFRELSHEIKH GOVERNORATE, CAIRO, EGYPT

Although the incidence of Giardia lamblia increased, data regarding its possible associatedrisk factors are scares. The study investigated the genetic diversity of humans G. lamblia positiveisolates in kafrelsheikh Governorate, and the impact of multiple risk factors on prevalence.A total of 300 fecal samples were collected from patients attended Kafrelsheikh Universityover a period of one year. Amplification and RFLP analysis of β-giardin gene were usedto identify the G. lamblia multiple assemblages.The results showed that, PCR amplification showed 63/300 (21%) positive samples, of them,12 assemblages A (19.1%) and 52 assemblages B (80.9%). On univariate analysis, there werestatistical significant correlation among giardiasis and age group, sex, hand-washing, milktype, flatulence, vomiting, and animal contact (p = 0.028, 0.006, 0.005, 0.02, 0.000, 0.002 &0.000, respectively). On Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that children from 2-6 years, adults (< 18 years), females, hand-washing, boiled milk, vomiting, flatulence and animalcontact were independent risk factors for giardiasis (p = 0.01, 0.02, 0.007, 0.05, 0.03,0.000, 0.002 & 0.000, respectively).