Anthropozoonotic Giardia duodenalis genotype (assemblage) a infections in habitats of free-ranging human-habituated gorillas, Uganda

J Parasitol. 2002 Oct;88(5):905-9. doi: 10.1645/0022-3395(2002)088[0905:AGDGAA]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

To facilitate ecotourism and research, free-ranging mountain gorillas of Uganda have been habituated to humans. Testing of fecal samples of gorillas (n = 100), people sharing gorilla habitats (n = 62). and local pre- and postweaned cattle (n = 50) having access to these habitats with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated monoclonal antibodies revealed Giardia duodenalis cysts at prevalences of 2, 5, and 10%, respectively. The identification of G. duodenalis was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization with 2 species-specific 18-bp oligonucleotide probes conjugated to hexachlorinated 6-carboxyfluorescein. The mean pathogen concentration was 2.5, 2.8, and 0.2 x 10(4) cysts/g of the gorilla, people, and cattle feces, respectively. All cyst isolates aligned with genotype (assemblage) A, as confirmed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of a 130-bp region near the 5' end of the small subunit-ribosomal RNA gene. A single genotype (assemblage) A recovered from 3 genetically distant but geographically united host groups indicates anthropozoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis. A large percentage of the local community does not follow park regulations regarding the disposal of their fecal waste, as self-reported in a questionnaire. This genotype may have been introduced into gorilla populations through habituation activities and may have then been sustained in their habitats by anthropozoonotic transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Giardia lamblia / classification
  • Giardia lamblia / genetics*
  • Giardiasis / parasitology*
  • Giardiasis / pathology
  • Giardiasis / transmission*
  • Gorilla gorilla / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Male
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Uganda
  • Zoonoses / parasitology*
  • Zoonoses / transmission

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal