title: Genotypic analysis of Giardia duodenalis in domestic cats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal flagellated protozoan that affects many mammalian species often causing severe diarrheal disease. Several different genotypes have been identified (Assemblages A-G). Most isolates recovered from domestic cats have been assigned to either Assemblage A, the zoonotic form of the parasite, or Assemblage F, identified thus far only in cats. Genotypic variation within G. duodenalis may influence clinical presentation and course of disease. Therefore, host-adapted genotypes may not be responsible for diarrheal disease (eg, Assemblage F in cats).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Multiple Giardia genotypes will be present in domestic cats, including Assemblage F, which will not be correlated with clinical signs.
  
  
  METHODS
  250 domestic cats from eastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence survey. Fecal samples evaluated for cysts using a centrifugation concentration technique and a commercially available direct immunoflourescent antibody kit. Giardia isolates were characterized by PCR amplification and sequencing of the glutamate dehydrogenase gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both Assemblage A-I (6/17) and Assemblage F (11/17) were identified. Although Assemblage was significantly associated with age and housing, no association was detected between Assemblage and a variety of other factors including the presence of gastrointestinal signs (acute vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of diarrhea in domestic cats with Giardia cannot be used as a predictor of the presence of zoonotic genotypes in animals within the study area. Although Assemblage A was associated with age and housing, veterinarians should consider any isolation of Giardia from domestic cats as potentially zoonotic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA. azcubfan@comcast.net
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Vasilopulos
authors.forename: Lora G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Rickard
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mackin
authors.forename: G Todd
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Pharr
authors.forename: Carla L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huston
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D005872:Giardia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*