Journal article
Anthropozoonotic Giardia duodenalis genotype (assemblage) a infections in habitats of free-ranging human-habituated gorillas, Uganda
Journal of Parasitology, Vol.88(5), pp.905-909
2002
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 × 104 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.
Details
- Title
- Anthropozoonotic Giardia duodenalis genotype (assemblage) a infections in habitats of free-ranging human-habituated gorillas, Uganda
- Authors/Creators
- T.K. Graczyk (Author/Creator) - The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of EnviroJ. Bosco-Nizeyi (Author/Creator) - The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of EnviroB. Ssebide (Author/Creator) - The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of EnviroR.C.A. Thompson (Author/Creator) - The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of EnviroC. Read (Author/Creator) - The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of EnviroM.R. Cranfield (Author/Creator) - The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Enviro
- Publication Details
- Journal of Parasitology, Vol.88(5), pp.905-909
- Publisher
- American Society of Parasitologists
- Identifiers
- 991005544297507891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.246 Diarrheal Diseases
- 1.246.985 Cryptosporidium
- Web Of Science research areas
- Parasitology
- ESI research areas
- Microbiology