title: Characterization of Giardia duodenalis isolates from a waterborne outbreak.
abstract: Isolates were retrieved from drinking water and from animal and human sources associated with a waterborne outbreak of giardiasis. This is the first report of water-source and epidemic-associated Giardia isolates being adapted to in vitro propagation. Outbreak-associated, non-out-break-associated, and reference isolates were characterized using isoenzyme electrophoresis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). All outbreak-associated and 2 other isolates were in one of eight zymodemes. The chromosomal complement of the outbreak-associated isolates was relatively homogeneous; this PFGE karyotype was distinguishable from other karyotypes. Overall results of both characterization methods were similar, although PFGE appears to be a more discriminating biotyping technique. Banding patterns of the outbreak-associated Giardia isolates remained the same even though the parasite passed through different hosts during the outbreak. Heterogeneity of isolates was also demonstrated for the first time within a single community not associated with the outbreak.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Isaac-Renton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cordeiro
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarafis
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shahriari
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005872:Giardia / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D007621:Karyotyping; D008875:Middle Aged; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes