Molecular Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Giardia duodenalis in Owned Cats and Dogs from Nevşehir Province

Year 2025, Volume: 22 Issue: 1, 28 - 35, 18.04.2025

Beyzanur Sataşmaz , Gupse Kübra Karademir , Arif Çiloğlu

https://doi.org/10.32707/ercivet.1595487

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in owned cats and dogs presented with various clinical complaints at private veterinary clinics in the Nevşehir region. It was also aimed to determine the genetic characterization and phylogenetic relationships of G. duodenalis isolates. Furthermore, it evaluated the potential public health risks posed by cats and dogs within the context of molecular epidemiological data. In 2023, a total of 200 fecal samples were collected from 100 owned cats and 100 owned dogs of various ages and sexes in the Nevşehir region. Genomic DNA was subsequently isolated from the fecal samples and then subjected to nested PCR using specific primers targeting the β-giardin gene region of G. duodenalis. Nested PCR analysis identified G. duodenalis DNA in three samples (1.5%): two from cats and one from a dog. Positive amplicons were sequenced. The sequence analysis revealed three distinct genotypes among the isolates. These genotypes were submitted to the GenBank database with accession numbers PQ514072-4. Phylogenetic analyses were performed by aligning sequences from other G. duodenalis isolates available in the databases. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction indicated that the isolates obtained from cats belonged to zoonotic Assemblage B and Assemblage C, whereas the isolate from the dog was classified as Assemblage D. In conclusion, this study represents the first molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of G. duodenalis in owned cats and dogs in the Nevşehir region and highlights the potential public health risks posed by owned cats and dogs.

Keywords

Giardia duodenalis, Nevşehir, PCR, β-giardin

Project Number

TYL-2024-13516

Nevşehir Yöresindeki Sahipli Kedi ve Köpeklerde Giardia duodenalis'in Moleküler Prevalansı ve Genetik Karakterizasyonu

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Nevşehir yöresinde çeşitli şikayetler ile özel veteriner kliniklerine getirilen sahipli kedi ve köpeklerde, Giardia duodenalis’in moleküler prevalansının araştırılması, genetik karakterizasyonlarının sağlanması, filogenetik yapılanmalarının belirlenmesi ve moleküler epidemiyolojik veriler kapsamında kedi ve köpeklerin halk sağlığı yönünden risk faktörlerinin ortaya konması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla 2023 yılında Nevşehir yöresinde farklı yaş ve cinsiyetteki sahipli 100 kedi ve 100 köpekten toplam 200 adet dışkı örneği toplanmıştır. Toplanan dışkı örneklerinden genomik DNA izolasyonu gerçekleştirildikten sonra elde edilen izolatlar, β-giardin gen bölgesini amplifiye eden spesifik primerlerle nested PCR analizine tabi tutulmuştur. Nested PCR analizleri sonucu ikisi kedi ve biri köpek olmak üzere toplam üç (%1.5) örnek G. duodenalis DNA’sı yönünden pozitif belirlenmiştir. Pozitif belirlenen amplikonlar, sekans analizlerine tabi tutularak hedef gen bölgesine ait nükleotid dizilimler elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen izolatların veri tabanlarına kaydedilmiş diğer G. duodenalis izolatları ile çoklu hizalamaları yapılarak filogenetik analizleri gerçekleştirilmiş ve GenBank veri tabanı kayıtları yapılmıştır (PQ514072-4). Yapılan çoklu hizalama ve filogenetik analizler sonucunda sahipli kedilerden elde edilen izolatların zoonotik Assemblage B ile Assemblage C ve sahipli köpekten elde edilen izolatın Assemblage D’de yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak bu çalışma ile Nevşehir yöresinde sahipli kedi ve köpeklerde G. duodenalis’in ilk kez moleküler karakterizasyonu yapılmış ve sahipli kedi ve köpeklerin halk sağlığı yönünden oluşturabileceği risk potansiyelleri ortaya konmuştur.

Keywords

Giardia duodenalis, Nevşehir, PCR, β-giardin

Project Number

TYL-2024-13516

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