BACKGROUND: Although chamois Rupicapra spp. are the most abundant mountainungulates in Europe, no data are available on the presence of Giardia duodenalis infecting these species.METHODS: A total of 157 fecal samples from Alpine Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapraand Apennine Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata chamois were tested for the presence ofG. duodenalis by immunofluorescence test, quantitative Real Time PCR andend-point PCR for genotype characterization.RESULTS: G. duodenalis was detected in R. r. rupicapra and R. p. ornata, with apercentage value of 4.45 (5.82 and 1.85 %, respectively), and a cyst burden of upto 31,800 cysts/g of feces. Assemblages A/AI and E were identified in R. r.rupicapra and assemblage A/AIII in R. p. ornata.CONCLUSIONS: The present study represents the first record of Giardia duodenalis in Rupicapra spp., suggesting that these wild bovids can play an epidemiological role in environmental contamination and transmission of both zoonotic andnon-zoonotic genotypes
Giardia duodenalis in Alpine (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) and Apennine (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata) chamois
Putignani L;
2015-01-01
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although chamois Rupicapra spp. are the most abundant mountainungulates in Europe, no data are available on the presence of Giardia duodenalis infecting these species.METHODS: A total of 157 fecal samples from Alpine Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapraand Apennine Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata chamois were tested for the presence ofG. duodenalis by immunofluorescence test, quantitative Real Time PCR andend-point PCR for genotype characterization.RESULTS: G. duodenalis was detected in R. r. rupicapra and R. p. ornata, with apercentage value of 4.45 (5.82 and 1.85 %, respectively), and a cyst burden of upto 31,800 cysts/g of feces. Assemblages A/AI and E were identified in R. r.rupicapra and assemblage A/AIII in R. p. ornata.CONCLUSIONS: The present study represents the first record of Giardia duodenalis in Rupicapra spp., suggesting that these wild bovids can play an epidemiological role in environmental contamination and transmission of both zoonotic andnon-zoonotic genotypesI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
