Zoonotic Giardia duodenalis Assemblage A in Northern Sloth from Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Abstract The zoonotic protozoa parasite Giardia duodenalis infects a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including domestic and wild animals as well as humans. G.duodenalis is one of the most common intestinal parasite in humans and mammals worldwide. In humans, the disease is called giardiasis, with symptoms such as acute diarrhea which may progress to a chronic stage, but most infections remain asymptomatic. In children, giardiasis has a negative impact on their growth and cognitive development. Zoonotic assemblages A and B have already been identified in humans and wild and domestic animals (non-human primates and cats) from Brazilian Amazon. Here, in a screening focusing Giardia identification in wild animals from the Brazilian Amazon region, we identified, by microscopy, Giardia in two Northern sloths (Bradypus tridactylus). Samples from these two individuals were submitted to molecular assays, PCR targeting the beta giardin gene and amplicon sequencing, and it was revealed that both were infected by G. duodenalisfrom zoonotic assemblage A. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis showed that each one belong to a distinct assemblage A sub-cluster within sequences from humans and animals. Therefore, besides showing, by the first time, the presence of this parasite in sloths, our findings reveals that this wild animal species would be part of the zoonotic scenario of this parasite in the Brazilian Amazon.